Let Ukraine Aim for the Archer

Excerpt

In your editorial “Ukraine’s Next Missile Defense: Starlink?” (Aug. 23), you argue Ukraine should be permitted to use Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service to counter the Russian ballistic-missile threat. That’s the right call.

Although Ukraine defeats most subsonic cruise missiles and long-range drones, Russian ballistic missiles are pounding Ukrainian cities. That’s because, as your editorial notes, Kyiv is “perilously low” on interceptors for its American-made Patriot systems. U.S. and European stocks are drained, and efforts to boost production and develop alternatives will take time Ukraine doesn’t have. Russia, meanwhile, is now manufacturing over 100 ballistic missiles per month and receiving more from North Korea. The coming winter will likely be exceedingly tough.

John Hardie serves as deputy director of FDD’s Russia Program.