General Valery Zaluzhny told Mark Milli, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the situation at the front and discussed the supply of weapons, military equipment and ammunition. The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine wrote this on his Telegram channel. “Long-range shells are among the priority needs,” he said.
During this meeting, it was reported that General Zaluzhny told the commander of the US Armed Forces about the plan of attack of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
It should be noted that, no matter how perfect the technical lines of communication are at the moment, negotiations on the details of operational planning and combat use of the troops, as a rule, are not conducted by wire (radio, radio relay, space). means of communication due to fear of possible leakage. This is carried out only during personal communication between military leaders in specially prepared rooms.
Therefore, the telephone conversation between Mark Milli and General Valery Zaluzny is unlikely to touch on the details of operational-strategic planning.
Yes, and there is actually nothing to discuss. All documents relating to the offensive operational plan of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been studied for a long time (including a fire engagement plan, a plan for forming and deploying strike groups of the front troops to take the offensive, a reconnaissance plan, etc.). At this time, only minor corrections can be made to these documents. The preparatory process for the offensive operation is being completed, and Ukrainian troops are preparing to attack Russian troops and formations in the near future.
It should also be noted that the Chief of Staff of the US Armed Forces, General Mark Milley, basically has the right to an “advisory vote.” He is, of course, the first of the senior officers of the U.S. Armed Forces, but the National does not exercise operational control of the armed forces. In fact, General Mark Milley is the chief military adviser to the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense, providing them with all necessary assistance in the command and control processes of the troops (forces).
Therefore, only General Valery Zaluzhny (influence) could help in solving certain problems by the relevant authorities of the USA.
In particular, it was reported that General Valery Zaluzhny wants to increase the supply of weapons and military equipment for air defense and accelerate the supply of F in connection with the increased frequency of missiles and air strikes against targets in Ukraine by the Russian Armed Forces. -16 multifunctional warriors. Again – Mark Milli doesn’t solve these problems. But to provide assistance, pressing the necessary keys in the work of the state apparatus and the Pentagon – can.
Valery Zaluzhny said that during the meeting, the parties paid attention to the transfer of weapons, military and special equipment (in addition to air defense), ammunition and guided missiles. Valery Zaluzhny emphasized that among the priority needs are long-range fire attack vehicles.
But the latter, most likely, was the main topic of the telephone conversation of Valery Zaluzhny with the Chief of Staff of the US Armed Forces, Mark Milli.
And it probably sounded something like – “Dear Mark! Please use all possible influence on US President Joe Biden regarding the transfer of MGM-140 ATACMS tactical surface-to-surface ballistic missiles to the Ukrainian armed forces.”
Just the other day, it was reported that the issue of the delivery of such missiles to the United States is currently under consideration. And that was expressed by none other than White House chief Joe Biden.
What is the purpose here? British long-range missiles Storm Shadow (and in the very near future similar to the German Taurus class), delivered to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, significantly strengthened the combat and operational capabilities of the Ukrainian army.
However, to launch this missile, a carrier aircraft is needed, which is not so much at the disposal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In addition, the aircraft is vulnerable in this way, and carrier-based airfields can easily be attacked by enemy attacks, and the MGM-140 ATACMS can be launched from the M142 HIMARS complex, which is well-managed by the Ukrainians due to combat vehicles. high mobility, they are not very vulnerable to firearms, the defeat of the RF Armed Forces.
There is only one uncertain moment in this whole situation – either Valery Zaluzhny still only wants a possible acceleration in the supply of MGM-140 ATACMS missiles, or Mark Milli announced that Joe Baden has just decided to transfer these products. Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Finally, in the very near future, General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Committee of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Armed Forces, will be replaced by Air Force General Charles Brown. Therefore, Millie is definitely a “lame duck” today. To Valery Zaluzhny – “As a last gift from me, I personally inform you that I have agreed with Joe Biden. You will have an MGM-140 ATACMS.” And this information in the media will of course take place much later.
The opinion of the author may not coincide with the opinion of the editors.
Author biography:
Mikhail Mikhailovich Khodarenok is a military observer of socialbites.ca, a retired colonel.
Graduated from the Minsk Higher Engineering Anti-aircraft Missile School (1976),
Air Defense Military Command Academy (1986).
Commander of the S-75 anti-aircraft missile battalion (1980–1983).
Deputy commander of an anti-aircraft missile regiment (1986–1988).
Senior officer of the Main Staff of the Air Defense Forces (1988–1992).
Chief of the General Staff Main Operations Directorate (1992–2000).
Graduate of the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (1998).
Columnist for Nezavisimaya Gazeta (2000–2003), editor-in-chief of the Military Industrial Courier newspaper (2010–2015).