Massie Proposes Amendment to NDAA Requiring Report On Ukraine Casualty Data

The U.S. Intelligence community and State Department officials seem well versed on Russian casualty numbers in the Ukraine conflict but are strangely tight-lipped when questioned about Ukraine’s losses.

Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY) has proposed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would require a report on “casualty and equipment losses for both sides.”

My amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act “requires a report on the casualty and equipment losses for both sides involved in the conflict in Ukraine.”

It’s in the House’s version of the NDAA and awaits review by the Senate.

More details: https://t.co/1PDWLINNZS

— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) September 24, 2024

Since 2022, Congress has approved nearly $175 billion in funding and military aid to Ukraine, yet there is little accountability on the part of U.S. officials according to Massie.

The Congressman recounted how, In a classified briefing with representatives of the U.S. Intelligence, he asked what the casualties were on the Ukrainian side and those officials went out of their way to provide details on Russian casualties.

When pressed for how many Ukrainian losses had occurred, Massie says those same officials would not answer his question.

Later, when asking House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) if he knew the number of Ukrainian casualties, Massie was told that the Speaker didn’t know.

In an interview with Responsible Statecraft, Massie said there are virtually no reliable numbers that have been published regarding Ukraine’s losses.

Massie explained that he sought the casualty information to bring transparency and to clarify what the U.S. State Department’s strategy and goals are in regards to Ukraine.

Massie said that the State Dept. is using the Ukraine conflict as a tool of statecraft and that the vagueness of their response to his questions may be an attempt to prevent Congress from hearing bad news that might affect the flow of money to Ukraine.

He added, “Part of the reason I asked that question in that setting, was to show the other members of Congress that they’re just giving us one side to try and motivate us to keep sending the money and weapons.”

When asked if he was opposed to sending more aid to Ukraine, Massie affirmed that he doesn’t want to continue funding the war, especially if continued funding requires members of Congress to stick their heads in the sand.

While U.S. politicians haven’t been shy about signing American made artillery shells alongside Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky for a photo op, the American public doesn’t appear to share their enthusiasm.

Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Pennsylvania democrat Governor Josh Shapiro signed artillery shells to be used in war. This was at a munitions factory in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Democrats are now the party of war and they're proud of it. Sad. pic.twitter.com/I8CK0sr5Fc

— David J Harris Jr (@DavidJHarrisJr) September 23, 2024

Massie’s amendment to NDAA has been accepted by the House and now awaits review by the U.S. Senate.