THE drone attack on Moscow high-rises on Tuesday marks a dangerous escalation in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin’s accusation that Kyiv seeks to “frighten” Russians reflects the Kremlin’s attempt to deflect attention from its own aggressive actions and shift blame onto Ukraine. However, it is clear that the intensification of hostilities is a direct consequence of the bitter nature of the conflict in Ukraine..
The attacks in Moscow, though causing only minor damage and no serious injuries, have shaken the perception of invulnerability among ordinary Russians. The Kremlin has long maintained that the conflict in Ukraine does not pose a threat to its own citizens, but the drone attacks have shattered this narrative.
President Putin has claimed that the attacks were a response to a Russian strike on Ukraine’s army intelligence headquarters. The use of drones to target residential areas in Moscow demonstrates a deliberate intent to sow fear and uncertainty among the Russian population.
The Russian defense ministry’s report that eight drones were used in the attack, with five downed and three disabled, highlights the effectiveness of Moscow’s air defense. However, this success should not overshadow the fact that drones breached the country’s airspace and struck civilian areas.
The United States, in response to the attacks, reiterated its commitment to supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity but clarified that it does not endorse attacks inside Russia. The State Department’s statement emphasizes the focus on providing Ukraine with the necessary equipment and training to reclaim its sovereign territory, rather than engaging in offensive actions.
The drone attacks in Moscow and the retaliatory strikes in Kyiv demonstrate the perilous turn that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has taken. It is imperative for diplomatic efforts to be intensified, and for both sides to prioritize dialogue.
Now in its second year, the war in Ukraine continues to rage. Neither Russia nor Ukraine seem to have a clear edge on the ground. If anything, this shows that both sides are fighting to ensure the defeat of the other side. There is little effort for a negotiated settlement. Meanwhile, the human tragedy is unfolding in Ukraine on a vast scale in terms of the deaths of civilians. The war has rallied western nations and many other countries from around the world behind Ukraine. This could drag the war endlessly. While it is nobody’s case to countenance the invasion of a sovereign smaller country by its powerful neighbour, the solution to the evolving fraught situation can be resolved if the US-led West and Russia sit down and work towards addressing each other’s grievances and fears.
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