Putin's Plans Shock - Experts Analyze the Dictator's Statements

Western journalists from The Conversation analyzed statements by Russian leadership and concluded that the war is far from over. Putin approved a law to increase the size of the armed forces, and Peskov stated that the conflict will end only on Moscow's terms. The Kremlin is betting on consolidating society, using rhetoric about punishing Ukraine. Ukrainian drone strikes affect public sentiment but do not change the Kremlin's position.

Western journalists from The Conversation analyzed recent statements by Russian leaders and warned that the war is far from over. Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian territory affect public sentiment within the country but do not change the Kremlin's position on continuing the war. Russian authorities continue to build up military potential and state that they do not intend to abandon previously announced goals. Vladimir Putin approved a law providing for a further increase in the size of the armed forces, and Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov again stated that the conflict can only end if Russian conditions are met. Among these, Moscow continues to cite recognition of Ukraine's loss of control over territories under Russian occupation, including Donbas. The Kremlin is betting on consolidating society, emphasizing the significance of the so-called 'special military operation' and minimizing the resonance around internal problems, including fuel shortages. The Kremlin uses rhetoric about the need to punish Ukraine, trying to maintain public support amid regular Ukrainian drone attacks. Kyiv explains strikes on targets in Russia as a response to Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. The authors note contradictions in Moscow's statements: claims of fighting 'neo-Nazism' do not align with earlier accusations of an alleged genocide of the Donbas population, which was used as one of the justifications for the full-scale invasion. International studies have not confirmed the existence of such genocide. According to the publication, the Russian leadership expects that Ukrainian attacks will make society rally even more strongly around the authorities, but the effectiveness of such a strategy remains an open question. Despite isolated displays of discontent, Russia's political system has so far shown resilience. Even if the results of sociological surveys cannot be considered fully objective due to citizens' fear, this very factor indicates the preservation of strong government control over society. The continuation of Ukrainian drone attacks may eventually lead to the war becoming part of everyday reality for many Russians. Residents of occupied Crimea have already faced the fact that the feeling of complete security turned out to be illusory. For Ukraine, successful drone operations have become an important moral factor, strengthening many Ukrainians' belief in the possibility of future victory and the liberation of occupied territories, including Crimea.