Today, it has become known that US State Department approved the supplies of lethal weapons to Ukraine. So far, only one private company has received the license to export sniper rifles. However, other suppliers may appear soon. Moscow thinks that such decisions can only aggravate the situation. In particular, they can stimulate the nationalists to advance in the Donbass.
Anton Podkovenko, has the details.
M107A1 anti-materiel sniper rifle. It has an effective range of almost 2 km. It is designed to exterminate armored infantry. It is the starting item of the supply of arms to Ukraine. Some "light armament" is also mentioned in the license, although "light" looks a little vague here.
Viktor Baranets, military expert: "In the Congress, they have been discussing for very long whether they should supply Ukraine with the Javelins, man-portable fire-and-forget anti-tank missiles. Ukrainians are dreaming that they will be given as many as 1,500 such missiles. But there hasn't been a decision made on Javelins. The decision has been made on sniper weapons, radio sets, stations for the location of artillery fire, night-vision goggles, binoculars".
In fact, Kiev has received a go-ahead signal from Washington: "here's your rifle, pull the trigger. We'll be watching." What an amusing piece of political thinking!
Oleg Ignatov, Center for Current Policy: "This should boost the morale of the Ukrainian government and the army, and nothing more. The meaning of these supplies is simple. The cost of the conflict must be raised for one party, the people's republics in this case".
By starting the supplies of arms to Ukraine, the USA solve their problems, but the Ukrainian government doesn't understand it.
Stanislav Byshok, CIS-Europe Monitoring Organization: "American weapon industry have produced too much. US Army and NATO Forces just can't consume so many units. So, if there's a chance to sell the surplus of arms to Ukraine at a profit, why not use it?"
The first batch of sniper rifles with ammo and accessories, like scopes and front supports, will be bought by Ukraine for almost $42 mln. It's much for the unstable economy, but they will find the money for sure.
Alexey Zhuravko, ex-Rada member: "Ukraine is getting ready in all the aspects of the probable escalation of the war conflict. And new US specialists keep coming to Ukraine to teach the local military. As for the Javelins, for some reason, I have no doubt that Ukraine will get them".
The supply of arms from the USA may cause the escalation of the conflict. There are many nationalists in Ukraine who support the combat approach in solving conflicts.
So, this is how Americans really want this conflict to be shut, because you can hardly stop wars selling rifles.
Anton Podkovenko, Anna Pogonina, Vesti.
