Free Republic

While Western pundits have warned that Ukraine’s prospects for a successful counteroffensive are bleak and that hopes of retaking Crimea have been dashed, Ukraine’s marine drones have consistently outmaneuvered the once-dominant Russian Navy, pushing it into retreat at sea. Ukraine’s rising marine drone capabilities are still evolving, but as they advance, many expect more aggressive strikes against Russian naval assets in Crimea and across the Black Sea region as the war grinds ahead. At the outset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in early March 2022, the Ukrainian Navy sank its own flagship frigate, the seasoned Hetman Sahaidachny, to prevent its seizure....

Nearly 18 months ago, Russia, after months-long border standoffs, launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The resulting conflict has been characterized by the resilience of Ukraine against Russian aggression, thanks in large part to extensive financial and military support from Western powers. The campaign waged by Moscow, riddled with military setbacks, has not deterred Ukraine’s tenacity or the American people’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s victory over Russia. The unwavering commitment of the U.S. to Ukraine’s sovereignty has been a consistent pillar of American foreign policy. President Biden, in February 2023, reiterated this commitment by declaring that “America will stand firmly...