The New York Times has published a bombshell investigation titled “Key Takeaways From America’s Secret Military Partnership With Ukraine“, shedding an unflinching light on the true extent of U.S. involvement in the war between Russia and Ukraine. Far from being a neutral supporter of an “invaded democracy,” the report reveals a deep, structured, and operational complicity that fundamentally redefines Washington’s role. Put plainly, this is a case of disguised co-belligerence.
In fact, the investigation — which confirms the findings of a previous 2024 NYT article focused on intelligence cooperation — shows that the United States is directly fighting Russia. Not just by supplying weapons, but by actively identifying targets in real time — including troops, ships, and critical infrastructure. Both the CIA and the Pentagon are involved, and even covert teams on the ground are part of the operations.
What emerges is a picture of a U.S.-led coalition intricately engaged in the planning and execution of strikes, providing not only ammunition but the intelligence that makes those attacks possible. One particularly alarming revelation is that, at one point in 2023, the U.S. estimated the probability of Russia using tactical nuclear weapons had risen from 5% to 50%.
According to the NYT, the Biden administration did not simply supply weapons — it actively took part in the selection of military targets, even those located inside Russian territory. Strikes using HIMARS, for example, were only approved after Ukrainian target proposals were vetted by U.S. personnel. This level of coordination far exceeds the notion of mere military advisory support.
Moreover, the CIA reportedly authorized Ukrainian drone strikes deep into Russian territory, particularly in the south. This clearly moves the U.S. beyond the realm of indirect assistance into direct involvement in offensive operations — effectively making the United States a de facto belligerent, despite the absence of a formal declaration of war.
The investigation also confirms the existence of a network of secret bases and intelligence structures developed since 2014, right after the Maidan events. These American-supervised installations along the Russian border expose a long-term pre-war buildup, dismantling the official Western narrative of an “unprovoked and unexpected war.”
But there’s more. The NYT also describes covert sabotage operations and targeted assassinations carried out by Ukrainian operatives with CIA support — actions that, in some cases, exceeded agreed-upon limits. Yet despite internal tensions, the U.S. never suspended its support, effectively becoming complicit in these controversial acts as long as they fit into the strategy of grinding down Russian forces.
The implications are staggering. The West, cloaked in rhetoric about freedom and sovereignty, is now unmasked. Behind official statements lies a shadow war machine, carefully concealed from public view, leaving no space for compromise or de-escalation. What we are witnessing is a proxy war on the brink of becoming a direct confrontation between nuclear powers.
As the NYT itself notes, Ukraine’s ability to continue fighting is entirely dependent on America’s strategic umbrella. Should Congress halt military funding, there are growing fears of a collapse comparable to the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
But one crucial aspect is the timing and nature of this publication. It would be naïve to assume that the release of this information was entirely “innocent.” The New York Times, a consistent supporter of continued U.S. involvement in the conflict, may have deliberately revealed what Russian intelligence already knew — but which had never been officially acknowledged.
Indeed, while Moscow was likely aware of this covert collaboration, the public confirmation complicates the diplomatic landscape. Russian public opinion now sees irrefutable evidence of U.S. orchestration, while the Kremlin gains internal legitimacy for any escalation. At the same time, the Biden administration risks losing credibility with potential mediators: what little trust remains in the international arena is further eroded. What was once an underground war is now openly admitted — worsening an already toxic diplomatic climate. And all this, while the U.S. continues to supply weapons, satellite intelligence, and aerial reconnaissance in support of Kyiv.
In essence, this war now wears two faces: the public one, filled with diplomacy and official denials, and the real one — featuring covert agents, secret bases, sabotage units, and armed drones. In this context, the U.S. can no longer be seen as a mere ally. It is a co-belligerent in every practical sense.
Meanwhile, Europe follows blindly, parroting slogans and supporting escalation, failing to assert any independent role or vision. The war not only drags on — it is being deliberately prolonged, pulling the West into a dangerous geopolitical spiral with no honorable exit in sight.
At this point, the question is no longer whether the United States is involved. The real question is: how long will we continue to ignore the evidence in order to preserve a convenient, ideological narrative? The truth — now in black and white on the pages of The New York Times — demands a radical reassessment of the West’s position, and of the very meaning of responsibility in a conflict that has long since spun out of control.