On Tuesday, the Russian capital and some of its civilian areas were attacked by around 8 drones, which caused “minor” damage to civilian buildings with no casualties.
Russia has blamed Ukraine for launching the biggest drone attack on Moscow, pointing out that its air defenses destroyed all the drones used, according to Reuters.
It is the first time that attacks have targeted civilian areas in the Russian capital, at a time when Kiev, which usually follows a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding strikes inside Russia, has denied its involvement in the attack. ‘incident.
What did Putin say about the attacks?
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow is a “terrorist operation” with a provocative goal, considering Kiev’s goal is to intimidate the Russian population. NATO tricked Russia with its promises not to expand east and tried to annex Ukraine. Air defense systems functioned normally and effectively during the drone attack. Russia has destroyed the Ukrainian military intelligence headquarters. Our forces only attack Ukraine’s military infrastructure, unlike Kyiv, which attacks civilian targets.
Defensive loopholes and wave of intimidation
The Ukrainian attack, which was condemned by Western countries, came after Russia launched night strikes with rallies targeting Kiev, which left at least one person dead, according to the city’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko.
Moscow also launched concentrated bombing operations targeting airports and infrastructure in Kiev and its suburbs, as well as a number of other Ukrainian cities.
For its part, The New York Times described the Kremlin’s reaction to the Moscow attack as “largely calm”.
Victor Sobolev, a former Russian officer, said these attacks came as a complete surprise to the population and there was no warning or warning of an air attack.
He explained that the Russian radar was unable to detect the drones and sound the air raid sirens because these drones were flying at very low altitude.
He added: “Russia must create systems capable of seeing drones at very low altitudes”, according to the American newspaper.
According to Andrei Kartapolo, a senior Russian lawmaker, on Russian business news site RBC, Russia is a big country and there will always be a loophole that allows a march to fly around areas where security systems are located. air defense.
Regarding the purpose of these attacks on the Russian capital, he adds: Arouse the anger of the Russian people. Terrorizing the civilian population and designed to create a wave of panic.
Psychological warfare and a great transformation
According to observers, targeting Moscow in this way indicates major shifts in the course of the fighting towards Russian depth, and the escape from the marches on Moscow confirms the direct transformation of the war.
Ukrainian military expert Oleh Gdanov said the latest potential Ukrainian attack may have included: UJ-22 drones with a range of about 1000 km produced in Ukraine. Some of these models are able to reach “Moscow and beyond”. However, Ukrainian military expert Oleksiy Stepanov told Sky News Arabia that these attacks were carried out by two Russian dissident groups, referring to the armed organizations “Russian Freedom Corps” and the Ukrainian-backed “Russian Volunteer Corps”. . It was coordinated with the Ukrainian side, but official Kiev forces did not participate
Regarding the purpose of these attacks, he adds: Psychological impact on Russian society. Demonstrating the weakness of Russian ground forces and air defense and its inability to preserve the airspace of the capital. Deliver a message to Moscow to take care of its internal affairs. Moscow carries out the worst attacks in Ukraine.
Russian military expert Vladimir Igor responded by saying that Moscow’s attacks on Kiev are only aimed at finding out the location of US Patriot missile launchers and military infrastructure, unlike Kiev, which attacks civilian targets inside interior of Russia.
He added to “Sky News Arabia” that the previous attacks that took place in the Russian canton of Belgorod were launched from Ukrainian lands under the supervision of Ukrainian intelligence services and that American armored vehicles were used there, and that there is no presence in Russia of only opposition forces which are groups and mercenaries affiliated with Ukraine, as he said.
“Balance of Terror” Tactic
In this regard, Russian military expert Sergey Leonkov believed that the attack on Moscow is Ukraine’s response to the intensification of Russian strikes against command and control centers, Western weapons depots and Kiev’s military infrastructure over the past two days.
He adds to “Sky News Arabia” that the Ukrainian regime, by attacking Moscow, wants to achieve several objectives, including: Creating the so-called “balance of terror” because targeting Moscow is an attempt to boost the morale of the Ukrainian military and street, and an attempt to psychologically influence Russian civilians. He seeks to impose a new reality on the ground and to blur the Russian defenses to reveal their weaknesses.
Regarding the continued Russian attacks on Kyiv, he confirms that he is looking for: To abort the counter-attack that Ukraine is preparing to satisfy Britain and America. Russia blocked the attack before it was born, and the Russian army has not yet used its advanced arsenal because it has not been consumed in advance, because the reality of the battles indicates a long-term war. The Russian strikes destroyed the main Ukrainian military intelligence headquarters, where foreign experts, including British and Americans, were present. Kyiv, at the request of these countries, therefore launched attacks against Moscow to respond to these losses.
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