Aiding Ukraine, Defeating Russian Imperialism

"We're moving in the tree lines with just Javelins and N-LAWS [shoulder-fired anti-tank weapons]. But we are moving without mortars. The problem is we are sitting ducks for their artillery and sniper fire -- the advance is not happening."

"To be honest, we are not doing good. We go in with eight to fight 50. Down here, it's 5-10 km fields, separated by drainage ditches and that's the only way to move."

"We know where they are and they know where we are at all times... [We] need to get big guns down here, like yesterday."

"They're [Canada] sending junk -- that's what it feels like."

James Challice, 42, Canadian Forces veteran, volunteer trainer of young Ukrainian recruits

"We need to help ensure Ukraine survives, is successful in defence of the country and can evict the Russians."

"Victory is the only way to end this."

"There is lots we can, should and need to do."

Rick Hillier, former Canadian Chief of Defence Staff

An explosion is seen in an apartment building after a Russian army tank fires in Mariupol, Ukraine, Friday, March 11, 2022. (Evgeniy Maloletka/The Associated Press)

James Challice, originally from Cobourg, Ontario, travelled to Ukraine in March inspired to do what he could to help Ukraine in its epic battle with invading Russian forces. Months ago he said in a local news interview that he felt confident Ukraine will manage to oust the Russian invasion since "the morale is phenomenal". At this point, he seems to be less assured of that outcome. And it is not because Ukrainian soldiers are less valiant and determined to defend their country and retake their territory from the invaders but because they have been outmaneuvered in weapons supply.

 

"We don't have enough big guns or ammunition to keep pushing forward", he stated baldly. While the Russian military is well equipped with infantry fighting vehicles and tanks, the Ukrainian military has no artillery support where and when it is badly needed. Because the Ukrainian fighters are running out of ammunition they have been forced to conserve 120 mm shells. As a Canadian fighting for Ukraine as a volunteer with ample conflict experience, Mr. Challice is hugely critical of his government.

 

Ukraine has been offered weaponry, light and heavy, by many NATO-member countries. Its largest source of weapons has been the United States, but countries as diverse as Britain and Australia, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia have been providing Ukraine with weapons. Ukraine is still using Soviet-era weapons, while Russia is known to have invested hugely in upgrading their weapons systems.

 

A Ukrainian soldier directs a Russian tank that Ukrainians captured after fighting with Russian troops outside Brovary, near Kyiv, Ukraine, March 10, 2022. (Thomas Peter/Reuters)

 

Canada, with the third largest Ukrainian diaspora citizenry (after Ukraine itself and Russia) sees its Liberal government pledging undying loyalty to Ukraine, but doing only what it feels forced by circumstances to commit to, to aid the country in its desperate struggle against the fascist tyranny of violent Russian aggression. Public opinion in Canada seems way ahead of government policy in committing to give practical conflict-driven aid to a nation under existential duress.

In the office of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, there is quiet unease over offending Moscow. Canada contributed 20,000 rounds of artillery ammunition, eight armoured vehicles (lacking front-line capability), as well as 4,500 rocket launchers. Four M777 howitzers were also sent as lethal aid by Canada to Ukraine. But Ukraine is burning through everything it gets in a prodigious drive to match the Russian assault with its own successful defence.

As far as James Challice is concerned, no Canadian equipment beyond helmets and night-vision goggles ..."and half of them don't work", have come to his attention. Canada is preparing, evidently, to send additional equipment such as 40 Coyote light armoured vehicles, about to be decomissioned. A Canadian House of Commons committee addressed by Ukrainian MP Yulia Klymenko was informed that LAVs, 155 mm artillery rounds and robot demining systems are urgently required by her country.

What Ukraine's military really needs and wants is big guns; howitzers. Canada should be sending 250 LAV 3s, 50 Leopard tanks and 18 M777 artillery pieces, along with supplying equipment trainers to Ukraine, according to retired General Rick Hillyer. 

After experiencing a humiliating series of setbacks in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin moved to escalate. (Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool/The Associated Press)

"Strategic patience is required because it is a demonstration that the democracies of the world have the resilience, unit and perseverance to resist the coercion and aggression of all of this era's techno-authoritarian regimes."

"The fight in Ukraine is as much about the kind of world we wish to live in as it is about defeating Russian aggression. We owe the Ukrainians the time to win."

Retired Australian Major General Mike Ryan