Finally, Russia has accelerated its aerial bombardments against Ukrainian infrastructure and civilian targets in recent months. in one night attack In December, Russia fired nearly 200 drones and 93 missiles at Ukraine, the most in any phase of this war. The Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC, tracks Russian airstrikes against Ukraine. Is The data shows a significant recent increase. in the number of attacks and in the number of weapons used in each attack, compared to similar periods in 2023 and 2022.
Charging
Putin has several goals to accelerate operations in Ukraine in the run-up to Trump’s inauguration. Putin wants to seize enough Ukrainian territory to show progress and eventually sell a victory to his people. The Russians are also trying to wear down the Ukrainian military, which is suffering from significant frontline manpower shortfalls and High levels of soldiers AWOL.. This, and the aerial bombardments of Ukrainian cities, are aimed at demoralizing Ukrainians and putting more pressure on their government to negotiate.
Ultimately, as Putin’s accelerated campaigns unfold in the skies and soils of Ukraine and extend to Europe, it is the minds of Western politicians and citizens that have been Putin’s real target in recent months. Their plan is to project an air of Russian victory to manipulate a new Trump administration into forcing Ukraine to sign a peace deal that is not in its best interests.
However, Putin’s success in his race toward January 20 is far from assured. Recent setbacks suffered by the Russians in Syria and the Iranians against Israel show that authoritarian regimes are vulnerable. And Putin may go too far and appear too dangerous that a new Trump administration can appease or ignore. Putin preen confidence in recent statements you can see him misinterpreting Trump. This could potentially lead to an increase in American support for Ukraine rather than the reduction that many predict.
In Putin’s rush to cross this imaginary finish line, the West is likely to derail his plan by increasing support for Ukraine. However, this will require astute and courageous strategic leadership from a group of Western leaders who have recently proven to be shy and risk averse. They have forgotten that they are collectively more powerful than Russia economically and militarily, and quite capable of carrying out their own accelerated strategic campaign to defeat a The revival of Russian imperialism.. They just have to decide to do it.
The opinion newsletter is a weekly summary of opinions that will challenge, defend and inform yours. Register here.
