Germany is intensifying its commitment to bolster Ukraine's long-range strike capabilities, as outlined by Defence Minister Boris Pistorius during recent discussions at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting.
What many in the West perceived as a strategic blunder is increasingly seen in Moscow as a costly but necessary and ultimately successful gamble. As the all-out war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, Russian political elites remain convinced that their leader, Vladimir Putin, did not make a grave error by launching it in February 2022. Instead, they are looking back with a sense of achievement, and they have good reason to believe that the war is ending on their terms, perhaps even soon.
Ukrainian special forces have struck deep into Russian-controlled territory, targeting ammo depots, logistics hubs, and command posts, the SBU said yesterday. The Alpha Special Operations Center carried out precision raids on key enemy military infrastructure, crippling the invaders' ability to manage troops, resupply, and plan new attacks. "These strikes hit the enemy where it hurts most," the SBU said on Telegram. "We are disrupting their operations and slowing down their war machine."
Vladimir Putin is trapped. Despite staggering losses and mounting international pressure, the Russian President shows no sign of ending the war in Ukraine - and experts say he likely can't. The Kremlin's grip on power depends on projecting strength. Analysts warn that any attempt to pull back would be seen as weakness, sparking unrest among elites and ordinary Russians alike. "For Putin, capitulation isn't an option," said a senior European security source. "Backing down would be political suicide."
