The deployment of a colossal arsenal of missiles and drones against a sleeping city cannot be a random act of aggression. On the contrary, we see a systematic element of the Kremlin’s long-term strategy. Massive strikes on civilian targets provide further confirmation that Moscow is committed to waging war until Ukraine is completely exhausted.
Such actions completely undermine any statements by Russian officials about readiness for “diplomatic resolution.” The Kremlin is not seeking compromises; its goal is the destruction of a sovereign state. Russia deliberately disrupts any attempts to restore a just peace, consistently ignoring international legal formats, multilateral platforms, and the appeals of the global community. By choosing the path of further escalation, Putin proves that any talk of peace on his part is merely a screen for regrouping forces.
Strikes on densely populated residential areas, medical facilities, hotels, and life-supporting infrastructures lack any military sense. According to international law, targeted attacks against civilians, violating the Geneva Conventions for the protection of civilian populations during war, have all the signs of war crimes, which have no statute of limitations.
Why is the Kremlin intensifying this terror right now? The answer lies in the situation on the “front line.” The inability of Russian troops to achieve significant territorial gains or break the front forces the Russian military command to change attack priorities. In light of this, massive shelling of the deep rear is an attempt to compensate for the low efficiency of offensive operations and demonstrate fictional toughness.
Missile hits on civilian targets in Kyiv and other large cities have led to massive destruction and new casualties among civilians. The Kremlin deliberately engages in these crimes, pursuing a strategy of intimidation. It is pure psychological terror, aimed at breaking the spirit of Ukrainians, destabilizing society from within, and forcing the civilian population to accept the aggressor’s humiliating conditions.
The timing of this attack is calculated down to the smallest detail. The missile strike occurred just a few days before the start of the next NATO summit. The Kremlin traditionally uses aerial terror as a tool to intimidate Western politicians. Trying to create the illusion of its “impunity,” Moscow seeks to instill fear among Ukraine’s allies and make them refrain from decisive defensive decisions and block strategic military aid.
The latest escalation from the Russian Federation reveals the limitations of the current Western policy of “containment.” To stop Russia’s destructive actions, NATO leaders at the upcoming summit must move to concrete and tough steps. It is essential to secure long-term defense agreements at the summit, allocate large financial funds, and establish an irreversible path for Ukraine to NATO membership.
Protecting the lives of Ukrainians requires an immediate and significant increase in the supply of modern long- and medium-range anti-aircraft missile systems. The availability of additional air defense systems is the only reliable way to minimize the consequences of Russian missile terror.
Effective protection of Ukrainian cities is possible only if Ukrainian military are granted the right to use long-range weapons against military airfields, warehouses, and logistical hubs deep in Russian territory. Neutralizing means of attack at their immediate bases is a key element in stopping regular shelling.
The world must realize: appeasing the aggressor is impossible. Only strength, determination, and the elimination of Russia’s military potential can stop Putin’s terror.
In the image: Aftermath of the shelling of Kyiv 02.07.2026. Photo: SES of Ukraine
