Russia accuses US of encouraging terrorists after Moscow strike
a Ukrainian counteroffensive.
Thats good for the Ukrainians in the sense that theyre pulling these systems away from other areas where they could be used maybe from front-line units, he said.
The attack, which lightly damaged three apartment buildings and wounded two people, angered Russias hardliners who scathingly criticised the military brass for failing to protect the capital more than 500km (310 miles) from the front line in Ukraine.
Putin cast the attack on Moscow as a Ukrainian attempt to intimidate its residents. He said Moscows air defences worked as expected, but admitted protecting a huge city is a daunting task. Its clear what needs to be done to beef up air defences and we will do it, the Russian leader said.
Military watchers said the drones used in the attack were relatively crude and cheap, but could have a range of up to 1,000km (620 miles). They predicted more could follow.
Flexing their muscles
Some Kremlin watchers noted Putins calm reaction that contrasted with angry statements from Russian hawks reflects his belief the public will not be unsettled by the attack.
Putin has talked repeatedly about the Russian peoples remarkable patience and tenacity, Tatiana Stanovaya of the Carnegie Endowment said in a commentary. No matter how defiant another Ukrainian attack is, Putin doesnt think that it could provoke public discontent with the government.
James Nixey, director of the Russia and Eurasia programme at Chatham House, said the drone strikes signalled a growing Ukrainian determination to launch attacks deep inside Russia and he predicted more will come.
This is not the first and its not the last, said Nixey. The Ukrainians are in various respects flexing their muscles, seeing what theyre capable of hitting back. It is one more part of the Ukrainian play to ensure they are not just playing defence, but they can play some offence as well.
Despite loud calls for revenge, the Russian military cannot do much more than what it has done since starting the war in February 2022, Nixey noted.
The reality is that Russia does have limits in what it can do. Its got limits on manpower, limits on its finances, limits on its artillery munitions, missiles, drones, everything, he said. Theyre already expending all their efforts, all their monies, all their treasure, all their blood, if you like, on prosecuting their war in Ukraine.
Last week, the Russian border region of Belgorod was the target of one of the most serious cross-border raids since the war began, with two pro-Ukrainian paramilitary groups claiming responsibility. The attacks also drew calls for bolstering Russias borders.
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Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 7:57 am