Ukraine Can Win Without the U.S. – If They Hit Putin Where it Hurts!

 

Ukraine’s survival depends more on their ability to strike deep within Russia than on the goodwill of Western powers. In plain English, Ukraine must infiltrate and sabotage Russia’s military to win, even if it means going against international norms.

When it comes to Ukraine’s struggle against Russia, the situation can be summed up in a fitting pun: "You can’t bring a shield to a sword fight and expect to win." By now, President Volodymyr Zelensky should realize that simply relying on Western military aid, no matter how advanced, will not be enough to fully defeat Vladimir Putin. Zelensky’s consistent requests for long-range missiles and other advanced weapons from the U.S. and Western allies underscore the growing awareness that conventional battlefield tactics alone won’t bring victory.

The harsh reality of warfare is that external support often comes with strings attached. For example, Western allies like the U.S. and the UK have limited Ukraine’s ability to use supplied weaponry to strike deep inside Russian territory, partly out of fear of escalating the conflict further. Zelensky’s repeated calls to lift these restrictions show his frustration, but it also reflects Ukraine’s dependence on decisions made far beyond Kyiv. Zelensky has warned that without the ability to strike at critical Russian military targets, tens of thousands of lives will be lost, and Ukraine will remain vulnerable to Russian aggression. This warning cannot be ignored.

However, the time has come for Ukraine to stop depending entirely on what others allow it to do. If Ukraine wants to change the tide of this war, Zelensky should spearhead the development of Ukraine’s own military technology, particularly long-range drones capable of penetrating deep into Russian territory. The recent successful drone attacks against Russian warships in the Black Sea demonstrate Ukraine’s potential to innovate on the battlefield. Such operations are a glimpse of what Ukraine could achieve if it invested in ramping up its own production of drones, missiles, and other advanced military technology. By hitting key targets deep inside Russia, Ukraine can disrupt the logistical chains that keep Putin’s war machine running. After all, a general proverb says, "He who brings water to the river doesn't expect his enemy to give him a boat."

Beyond hardware, Ukraine must also adapt its strategy. Zelensky should consider the creation of a top-secret special forces unit whose sole mission is to infiltrate, sabotage, and destroy Russia’s military supply lines. This elite force would operate under the radar, targeting Russia’s weapon depots, oil reserves, and key communication centers. This is not just a matter of hitting a few warehouses—it’s about crippling Russia’s ability to supply its frontline forces. History has shown that wars are won not only on the battlefield but by disrupting an enemy’s ability to fight.

In World War II, sabotage played a critical role in undermining German military operations. Allied forces, including resistance movements, routinely destroyed railways, fuel depots, and communication hubs, severely weakening the German war effort. In a similar vein, Ukrainian operatives could deploy drones, hacking tools, and guerilla tactics to render Russian supply chains ineffective. The objective would not be to fight Russia head-on but to bleed its resources dry over time, making it impossible for Moscow to maintain its invasion.

As Zelensky presses Western leaders for more weapons, he should also be directing efforts to train and equip this special force that can operate in secrecy behind enemy lines. He already knows, as does the world, that Putin’s ambitions stretch far beyond Ukraine. While Ukraine’s army has been praised for its resilience and ingenuity, it is time for the country to go on the offensive in ways that do not rely on Western permissions or restrictions. As Sun Tzu once said, "All warfare is based on deception." A force designed to create chaos and confusion within Russia would play right into this principle.

This isn’t to say that Ukraine should abandon the military aid it is receiving. Zelensky’s calls for advanced weaponry are crucial, and he has a point when he argues that the slow delivery of weapons is allowing Russia to regroup and press on with its offensive. The $61 billion aid package promised by the U.S. is significant, but time is not on Ukraine’s side. Zelensky has warned that delays in these weapons shipments give Russia more time to regroup and launch new assaults, putting Ukrainian lives at even greater risk.

But relying on these shipments as the sole strategy is akin to waiting for rain during a drought—it may come, but not in time to save the crops. Just as Ukraine has taken steps to produce its own weapons, it needs to take the initiative in crafting unconventional methods to strike at the heart of Russia’s war effort. Russia’s aggression is relentless, and it’s clear that Putin will not negotiate peace unless Ukraine is on its knees, something Zelensky has no intention of allowing.

It’s also worth noting that international politics plays a huge role here. Western countries are providing aid with one eye on their domestic populations, who may grow weary of supporting a distant conflict. Zelensky should take note that while support for Ukraine remains strong in many Western capitals, it is not limitless. Politicians in Washington, London, and Berlin may soon face increasing pressure to reduce their involvement, especially if the war drags on without a clear end in sight.

Zelensky has already shown extraordinary leadership throughout this conflict, but sometimes true leadership requires doing what others can’t—or won’t—do for you. Ukraine must not only defend itself; it must create the means to strike back in a way that leaves Russia reeling, even if this means acting independently of its Western allies. As the saying goes, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.”

While Putin’s forces may seem formidable, they have their weaknesses. Ukraine’s job now is to exploit those weaknesses at every turn, creating a war that Russia cannot sustain. And if the world thought drone strikes on warships were shocking, just wait until Ukraine’s special forces are embedded deep within Russian territory, dismantling the very engine of Putin’s military. In the end, Putin may learn the hard way that while Russia started this war, Ukraine will decide how it ends.