Ukraine’s Frontline Troops Brace for Impact of U.S. Election
As she sweeps away shards of glass outside her shop, Inna, a resident of the war-torn city of Zaporizhzhia, reflects on a pressing concern: Ukraine’s future could rest in the hands of American voters.
“Kamala Harris, the woman, we hope she’ll win and support us,” Inna says, referring to the Democratic candidate. Just outside her store, a recent Russian bomb left a 10-meter-wide crater, a grim reminder of the constant shelling and violence that has become daily life in southeastern Ukraine. “Of course, we’re anxious about the election outcome,” she adds, “we want to defeat the enemy!”
But that’s a feat impossible without help from the U.S. In 2023, Ukraine launched a major counteroffensive, aiming to push Russian troops back. Progress, however, has stalled, and Kyiv’s hopes have shifted to simple survival as Russian missiles and drones batter Ukrainian towns and soldiers face relentless attacks. Ukraine’s future could hinge on whether the U.S. remains an active supporter.
The election results could be transformative. Vice-President Kamala Harris has pledged to maintain U.S. military support if she wins, though her efforts could be limited if Republicans control Congress. A return of Donald Trump could complicate matters further. Trump has hinted at negotiating a peace deal, possibly requiring Ukraine to cede some territory. Without American aid, Kyiv’s efforts to defend itself would face dire consequences, potentially allowing Russian forces to gain more ground.
Andriy, a frontline Ukrainian soldier overseeing a fleet of U.S.-made armored vehicles, is worried. “If the aid slows or stops, the infantry will bear the brunt. We’ll fight with whatever we have, but it’s no secret Ukraine can’t win on its own,” he explains. For soldiers like him, the American election casts a long shadow over the battlefield.
For others, the lack of progress in reclaiming territory has raised questions among Ukraine’s allies. The reliance on American military support, which has surpassed $50 billion, is increasingly debated, with some U.S. politicians questioning the long-term feasibility of aiding Ukraine in what could be a prolonged conflict.
The soldiers, though, are steadfast. In a small town, amidst the fields turning golden with autumn, they proudly display their American equipment—drones, grenade launchers, mounted machine guns—all of which outclass their aging Soviet-era alternatives. Western aid has fueled Ukraine’s defenses and is now helping the country advance technologically. Serhiy, a drone pilot, shares how he directly collaborates with manufacturers, suggesting changes to improve the equipment. “We have a direct chat with them; they listen to our ideas, and it’s working,” he says with a smile.
Recent U.S. military aid has included $800 million in weaponry, vehicles, and ammunition, giving Ukrainian forces a fighting chance. And, President Zelensky, highlighting Ukraine’s resources and capabilities, continues pitching his country as a worthy investment to potential allies. Yet, there’s a persistent worry: if American support fades, Russia could start tipping the scales in its favor.
Inna and her fellow citizens aren’t alone in feeling uncertain. Lyubov, a resident whose daughter and grandchildren found refuge in the U.S., has endured Russia’s brutal tactics firsthand. “What about those who gave their lives?” she says. “The war ends when we reach our 1991 borders. We must reclaim Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk—all of it.”
In Ukraine’s parliament, however, there’s a growing but quiet sentiment for an immediate end to the war. Some believe the peace talks that began in early 2022 should have been pursued, even as reports of alleged Russian war crimes hardened Ukraine’s resolve to fight. Around eastern cities like Pokrovsk, as Russian troops edge closer, many Ukrainians see Donald Trump’s push for a ceasefire as the best hope for peace.
A woman in Pokrovsk put it bluntly, “Death is not worth land. We must end this, and Trump’s the man who knows how.”
Others, like Lyubov, hope for a White House friend who will stand with Ukraine. “I want someone who supports us, but I can’t say who that is,” she says quietly, reflecting a common dilemma. Ukrainians are deeply torn between wanting an end to the bloodshed and the need for a lasting resolution on their terms.
Since declaring independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine has struggled to maintain sovereignty, caught between East and West. With Russia’s invasion now threatening the nation’s borders, Ukraine’s future may hinge on America’s choice. The U.S. election could be the fulcrum that determines whether Ukraine remains united—or torn apart in a geopolitical struggle.
