Why Ukraine Is Betting on Strikes Deep Inside Russia

In a strategic bid to bring the war closer to home, Ukraine has been intensifying its strikes on targets deep inside Russia, a move that Ukrainian officials believe will compel the Kremlin to return to the negotiating table. By taking the fight to Russian territory, Ukraine aims to inflict significant pain on the Russian people and force a shift in the Kremlin’s stance on the ongoing conflict.

According to Ukrainian officials, the rationale behind this strategy is straightforward: by targeting key infrastructure and military installations within Russia, Ukraine can disrupt the Kremlin’s ability to wage war and bring the reality of the conflict home to the Russian people. The hope is that as Russians begin to feel the effects of the war firsthand, they will pressure their government to seek a negotiated settlement.

Ukrainian officials argue that previous attempts at negotiation have been hindered by Russia’s perception of invincibility, as its territory has remained largely untouched by the conflict. By changing this dynamic, Ukraine hopes to create a new reality that will make it impossible for the Kremlin to ignore the costs of the war.

The use of missiles and drones has been a key component of Ukraine’s strategy, allowing it to strike targets at a distance and minimize the risk to its own forces. Ukrainian officials believe that this approach has already begun to yield results, as Russians are increasingly being forced to confront the reality of the war.

While the Kremlin has vowed to respond aggressively to Ukraine’s strikes, Ukrainian officials remain undeterred, convinced that their strategy will ultimately pay off. As the conflict enters a new phase, Ukraine’s bet on strikes deep inside Russia is a calculated gamble that could have far-reaching implications for the future of the war.