Terror as a sign of weakness
The latest strategic strikes of Ukraine and russia has once again highlighted the significant difference in the countries' methods
Another act of terror against Ukrainian civilians by russia: residential areas were hit, with at least 21 dead – including 4 children – and more than 50 injured. As Kyiv mourns its dead, ordinary russians, in stark contrast, are recording videos of burning oil refineries, openly expressing amusement at yet another successful Ukrainian strike on russia’s oil infrastructure.
While ordinary russians feel secure, being aware that Ukrainian drones are used only against military targets, peaceful Ukrainians must endure one dreadful night after another. Every night, Ukrainian civilians play russian roulette – never knowing whether they will wake up the next morning, or be found beneath the rubble after a russian missile or drone strike.
Since the beginning of their full-scale invasion, the russians have held a significant advantage over Ukraine in terms of strategic capabilities: ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles, as well as thousands of Shahed drones. Despite all this, they have failed to achieve any strategic military success in three years – resorting instead to terror as their main instrument, a hallmark of russian strategy since 2014.
This reliance on terror is precisely why the russians have failed to achieve their strategic goals – and why russia is so ill-prepared to defend against Ukraine’s growing strategic capabilities. History has already taught one inhumane regime this lesson.
During the Battle of Britain – one of the most crucial battles of World War II – Nazi Germany attempted to force the United Kingdom into submission. To achieve this, the Nazis planned to gain air superiority, destroy the British fleet, and launch a land invasion of the United Kingdom. They began with a massive aerial campaign targeting British airfields and heavy industry as the first stage of this plan.
Having previously underestimated the capabilities of the Royal Air Force (RAF), the Nazis were unable to achieve their original goal of quickly crushing British resistance. As a result, they shifted their focus to the mass bombing of British cities, primarily London. Many historians argue that this gave crippled the RAF a much-needed temporary respite to consolidate, build up strength, and continue the fight – leading to Germany’s first major military defeat and significant global consequences for the course of the war.
Today, russia is repeating the same mistake the Nazis made 85 years ago. After nearly 3 years of constant chaotic shelling, Ukraine has not only survived – it has developed its own strategic capabilities to retaliate and now aims to surpass russia in terms of deep strike warfare. Meanwhile, russia’s lack of systematic approach resulted in spending hundreds of millions of dollars per attack just to hunt down another kindergarten, school or residential building.
This is why Ukraine must – and will – endure, while russia’s economic and energy crises continue to deepen. Even if it now feels like russia's resources and capabilities to wage this war are limitless.
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