Retired Lieutenant General Mark Hertling discussed the dangerous situation in the Kharkiv area, emphasizing the civilian targets being struck by Russia. The recent bombing of a hardware store in Kharkiv raised concerns as there were no military targets nearby, highlighting the ongoing threat to civilians. Ukraine's efforts to mobilize more soldiers and receive military aid amid supply chain disruptions have put them in a challenging position as they defend against Russian attacks.
The discussion also touched upon the debate within the Biden administration regarding the use of U.S. weapons inside Russia. While there are complex reasons for the current policy, the targeting of civilian infrastructure by Russia may lead to a reconsideration of these standards. General Hertling expressed agreement with potentially revisiting this policy given Russia's actions.