448 | Ukraine's frustration mounting in war with Russia

·23 min·2 clips

A Ukrainian official shouts at his phone after seeing a child pulled from rubble, demanding the weapons to stop it.

The episode opens with host J.J. Green introducing two interviews focused on Ukraine. The first interview is with General Anno Eichelsheim, Chief of Defense for the Netherlands. He analyzes Ukraine's incursion into Russia's Kursk region, noting it boosted Ukrainian morale and provided a bargaining chip but hasn't drawn Russian troops away from the Donbas as hoped. Eichelsheim states Ukraine's critical need is more air defense systems to protect cities and troops. He outlines the Netherlands' role in capability coalitions, including F-16 training and transit support. Eichelsheim shares five lessons for future wars: resilient population, sustainment, interoperability, digitalization, and modernization with maneuverability and sensors. He emphasizes the importance of the U.S.-Europe alliance. The second interview is with Ukrainian official Yuri Sack, who discusses recent Russian attacks in Poltava and Lviv as part of a terror campaign. He links these to Russian frustration over Ukraine's Kursk operation and growing internal dissatisfaction in Russia. Sack argues for permission to use Western-donated long-range weapons to strike military targets inside Russia, stating it's more efficient than trying to defend all of Ukraine with air defense. He references a quote from U.S. retired generals about 'taking out the archer' rather than blocking arrows. Sack addresses a government reshuffle in Ukraine, saying it doesn't significantly impact the front lines and is about fresh approaches for a challenging winter. He expresses frustration over delayed Western weapon deliveries, using the emotional example of a nine-year-old girl pulled from rubble to underscore the urgency. The episode concludes with Green previewing next week's topics and providing contact information.

As heard by us

A Kursk strategy question becomes a direct account of Ukraine's urgent case for stronger support.

Target USA follows Ukraine's urgency by tying the Kursk incursion to the wider pressure Russia is applying through attacks at home. General Anno Eichelsheim, the Netherlands' chief of defense, frames the central strategic question: whether Ukraine intended to pull Russian troops…

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Why you'd press play

You want Kursk, Russian oil refineries, Kyiv blackouts, and Ukraine's plea for air defense in one focused Target USA briefing.

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