Ukraine’s recent drone strikes on Moscow and other strategic locations are exerting increasing pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s hold on power, according to NATO officials. The attacks, which have overwhelmed Russian air defenses, mark the largest aerial assault on Russian territory since the conflict began in February 2022 and have raised concerns about Putin’s political stability amid ongoing battlefield losses.
Last week, Kyiv launched an unprecedented barrage of approximately 1,000 drones against Moscow, targeting key infrastructure including a major oil refinery. This assault forced the Kremlin to redeploy air defense units from frontline positions back to the capital, highlighting the strain on Russia’s military resources. A similar operation targeted another refinery in St. Petersburg days earlier, contributing to a broader campaign aimed at striking Russian economic and logistical hubs.
The port city of Sevastopol in Russian-occupied Crimea was also hit by Ukrainian drones, resulting in significant power outages, according to Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Kremlin-appointed governor. Kyiv’s Defence Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, described these strikes as part of a deliberate strategy to exhaust Russian forces and compel Moscow to enter negotiations. Ukrainian officials reported that the drone attacks have targeted dozens of military sites, further eroding Russian capabilities.
NATO sources, while typically cautious about commenting on internal Russian politics, have indicated that the combined effects of these military setbacks and escalating domestic pressure are placing Putin’s presidency under increased threat. The alliance emphasizes that the ongoing conflict has resulted in substantial Russian casualties, with estimates suggesting hundreds of thousands killed and wounded over the last few years. Western military officials have described the current situation as a series of setbacks for Russia, signaling a critical junction for the Kremlin.
UK political figures echo this assessment. At a recent European summit, Sir Keir Starmer noted signs of declining support for Putin within Russia, tying it to battlefield reversals and economic struggles. Meanwhile, Air Chief Marshal Sir Johnny Stringer, NATO’s deputy supreme allied commander Europe, cautioned that the Russian leader faces a precarious situation and stressed the importance of a measured and proportionate response from the alliance.
Amid the escalating conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a warning to Belarus, an ally of Russia, demanding the removal of equipment used to support Russian drone targeting within a one-week deadline, threatening Ukrainian strikes if the ultimatum is ignored.
In response to the power outages in Crimea, Mr. Razvozhayev dismissed the attacks as attempts to sow panic and disruption, affirming the resilience of the local population. The evolving situation underscores the intensified contest for control and influence in the region, with Ukraine aiming to disrupt Russia’s strategic assets and erode the Kremlin’s capacity to sustain the war effort.