The biggest Ukrainian assault on Moscow since the start of the war has laid bare critical weaknesses in Russia's air defence network, leaving residents and the Kremlin rattled. Overnight, Ukrainian drones swarmed the capital, striking key military and energy infrastructure. The attack, described by analysts as a 'turning point', penetrated layers of Russian S-400 and Pantsir systems, raising urgent questions about the true state of Putin's military might.
For the people of Moscow, the city that once felt distant from the conflict, the sound of explosions and the sight of smoke rising over the skyline brought a grim reality check. This is not just a battlefield setback in Ukraine. It is a direct hit on the narrative of Russian invincibility.
The strikes targeted a supply depot and a power substation, triggering blackouts in several districts. Economists warn that while the immediate human cost is low, the disruption to supply chains and daily life will ripple across the Russian economy. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have remained tight-lipped.
But the message is clear: the war has come home. For the West, this is a stark reminder that Ukraine's ability to strike deep into Russia is reshaping the battlefield. But there is a darker edge.
The gaps in Russian air defence could embolden further attacks, raising the risk of escalation. In the factory towns of the Urals and the kitchens of Moscow, the question now is not if the war will end, but how long the Russian public will accept the cost.
