Incrementalism Will Neither Defeat Russia nor Deter China
Commentary
On May 22–23, the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Free Russia Legion crossed from Ukraine into Belgorod Oblast, Russia (with a second incursion on June 5). These two groups allegedly comprise Russian citizens aligned with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. These groups reportedly used American Humvees and M1224 MaxxPro MRAPs in their operation. This temporary incursion was embarrassing for Moscow.
Upon our discovery, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated on May 25 that “we have again made it very clear to the Ukrainians what our expectations are about attacking Russia—we don’t want to encourage or enable that, we certainly don’t want any U.S.-made equipment used to attack Russian soil.”…