Thwarted by minefields, Ukrainian forces won’t manage to reach the city of Melitopol, a vital Russian transit hub, according to a U.S. intelligence assessment.
U.S. officials reject criticisms that F-16 fighter jets or longer-range missile systems such as ATACMS would have resulted in a different outcome. “The problem remains piercing Russia’s main defensive line, and there’s no evidence these systems would’ve been a panacea,” a senior administration official said.
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