Meanwhile, Russia has escalated its attacks against Ukraine. It has carried out a coordinated series of drone and ballistic missile attacks against targets across the country. Just a few short days ago, Ukraine was carrying out courageous drone strikes deep in Russian territory. They purposefully struck airfields and clearly disrupted military aircraft operations, including Russia’s nuclear capable heavy bombers.
Kyiv mayor Vitalii Klitschko said residential areas in the capital were hit. As a direct consequence, at least three people were injured. Fires started in the Holosiivskyi and Darnytskyi districts. Ukrainian air defense units rapidly deployed, with units in the capital’s Obolon district having engaged Russian forces to no small measure.
Russia’s strategy appears to focus on overwhelming Ukraine’s air defenses with a large number of low-cost drones. By firing simultaneous missile strikes, one of Moscow’s goals is to make sure its attacks can get through Ukrainian defenses. In recent months, Russia has ramped up its drone and missile production, allowing for mass assaults involving several hundred projectiles at once.
Ukrainian officials have vocally decried the attacks, focusing on the risks they pose to civilian populations. Oleksandr Merezhko, a member of Ukraine’s parliament, remarked on the implications of President Vladimir Putin’s threats:
“When Putin mentioned he is going to avenge or deliver a new strike against Ukraine, we know what it means. It’s about civilians.” – Oleksandr Merezhko
The latest spike in violence comes on the heels of Ukraine’s successful drone campaign that has levelled Russian military targets as far into Russia’s border as Moscow itself. These daring shots have recently featured hits on airfields and critical forward-deployed sortie-generating military aircraft that extend Russia’s offensive reach. These operations have been good at showing how powerful they are. They visualize Ukraine’s deep dependence on U.S. technology to protect them from nightly drone and missile attacks.
After Ukraine upped the ante with its drone war, President Putin threatened a response to match. His public comments have given the impression that he’s committed to ratcheting up military support for Ukraine in response to these provocations. This continued tit-for-tat violence only underscores the precarious state of the region. Both countries are unable to address the consequences from their militarized approaches.
As the war progresses, responses from around the world keep developing. Former U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the situation, suggesting a strategic approach to conflict resolution:
“Sometimes you’re better off letting them fight for a while and then pulling them apart.” – Donald Trump
The dynamics continue to change, as the two countries seek to outmaneuver each other militarily. Integrated into Russia’s air campaign against Ukraine, the heavy bomber fleet has been lost and severely damaged since the full-scale invasion started almost a year ago. Unfortunately, the potential for even worse escalation hangs over us.
Kyiv’s administration is bracing for continued assaults, while the civilian population faces an increasingly hazardous environment marked by frequent air raids. Both sides are preparing for what appears to be a protracted war. At the same time, the international community should watch closely and assess how this intra-Taliban fight affects regional stability.
