Epic Fury Ignited: The World’s Next Move for Ukraine
Sun rises as HMS Dragon is silhouetted during ammunitioning operations at Upper Harbour Ammunitioning Facility (UHAF) in Portsmouth Harbour, after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain would deploy the naval vessel, along with helicopters equipped with counter-drone capabilities, to the eastern Mediterranean as the conflict in the Middle East intensifies, in Portsmouth, Britain March 4, 2026. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Source: Author’s Facebook page
As of March 2, 2026, the world has plunged into a new phase of geopolitical turmoil triggered by the U.S.-led military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury. The assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, initially hailed in Washington as a decisive tactical victory, is rapidly reshaping the global balance of power. For Ukraine, however, this dramatic escalation in the Middle East risks turning America’s triumph into a dangerous strategic trap
While American Tomahawk missiles are burning through Tehran, the Ukrainian front is bleeding to death due to air defense deficiencies, and a crisis of confidence is erupting inside the country, fueled by evidence of systemic betrayal in the top leadership—from secret meetings in Oman to the deliberate demining of the paths of the Russian offensive.
“Epic Rage” and the Death of Khamenei
On March 1, 2026, Iranian state media officially confirmed that 86-year-old Ali Khamenei had been killed in a US-Israeli airstrike on his residence in Tehran. He was killed along with 48 key regime leaders, including the IRGC commanders and the defense minister.
President Trump, commenting on the operation on March 2, said that although the initial forecast was four to five weeks, the U.S. military has the capacity for a “much longer” confrontation. “We are already well ahead of schedule. No matter what it costs, we will do it,” Trump stressed, effectively confirming a shift toward an open-ended war aimed at destroying Iran’s infrastructure.
Fire in 10 Countries: The Geography of Regional Collapse
The elimination of Khamenei triggered a chain reaction that took the conflict far beyond Iran’s borders. As of now, fighting or massive shelling has spread to more than 10 countries in the Middle East.
Israel: Under continuous ballistic missile rain from Iranian proxy forces.
Bahrain: US 5th Fleet base attacked.
UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Jordan: Became targets of Iranian counterattacks on American military facilities.
Iraq and Syria: Shiite groups have become more active, attacking Western logistical hubs.
Yemen: Houthis resume full blockade of the Red Sea.
Lebanon: Fierce clashes with Hezbollah have begun on the border with Israel.
Resource trap and June deadline
The fact that the destruction of Iranian infrastructure objectively weakens Russia’s ally does not negate another fact: the escalation of a regional war diverts US resources and attention—and this hits Ukraine.
For Ukraine, Operation Epic Fury is not only the destruction of the Shahed factories that we need but also a catastrophic diversion of Washington’s resources. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan **Kain**, directly warned that the stock of interceptor missiles (in particular, Patriot) is critically depleted. The US has actually suspended some supplies to Kyiv to ensure “Epic Fury.”
The Trump administration is using the Middle East crisis as a pressure tool. Ukraine faces a June 2026 deadline to accept territorial concessions in return for a ceasefire, amid signs that Washington no longer considers the European theater a top priority.
A lesson in strategic subjectivity
Events between 2018 and 2026 suggest that Ukraine has increasingly been treated as a bargaining chip in Trump’s geopolitical game. While American bombs are burning Tehran, Ukrainian statehood is being undermined from within by “moles” and corrupt individuals.
Today’s lesson for Kyiv is obvious: the assassination of the Iranian leader will not save Ukraine unless the issue of internal responsibility for the surrender of the south and the “Omani schemes” is resolved. Ukraine must immediately regain its subjectivity by cleansing the power vertical; otherwise, June 2026 will be the date of the final capitulation, dictated by both the enemy from outside and the traitors from within.
Also, follow “Pryamyi” on Facebook, X, Telegram, and Instagram.
• Materials published in the “OPINIONS” section reflect the opinion of the author of the publication, who bears full responsibility for the accuracy of the information.
• The editorial staff of prm.ua may not share the opinions expressed in the author’s material.
• The owner of the webpage in the “OPINIONS” section is the author of the publication.