Russia’s war on Ukraine took a grisly turn on Monday as Russia launched 84 missiles at critical infrastructure facilities across Ukraine. In addition to the missiles, Russia used Iranian-made drones in several of the strikes.
The missiles struck civilian areas of Kyiv, Lviv, and other cities during rush hour, killing commuters on their way to work. Ukraine’s government reported at least 14 fatalities and nearly 100 injuries. More missiles hit Ukraine on Tuesday.
European leaders warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin has boxed himself in and cannot accept a defeat. President Biden said last week, “We are trying to figure out what is Putin’s off-ramp. Where does he get off? Where does he find a way out?”
Following Monday’s attacks, Biden said, “These attacks only further reinforce our commitment to stand with the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
But are Americans still with him?
- A Reuters poll last week found that 73% of Americans think the U.S. should continue to support Ukraine.
- But there is a partisan divide. In August, Reuters found that more than four times as many Republicans as Democrats thought the U.S. was doing too much to aid Ukraine.
- And support for arms shipments to Ukraine has declined throughout the conflict, as has public willingness to accept higher gas prices as a cost of support.
These attacks show that the war in Ukraine will not end any time soon, and that the dangers of a reckless response by Putin grow by the day. In times like this, it is essential that America’s leaders work together. Join us in our work of building unity.
