American sources at Reuters are sounding the alarm: according to their information, Russia has not yet realised the full potential of its response to the Ukrainian attacks of recent days. According to Phil Stewart and Idris Ali, citing anonymous US officials, ‘a significant multilateral strike should be expected’ in the coming days. Particularly telling is the statement by one Western diplomat: ‘They will be large-scale, brutal and relentless.’
What is behind these warnings? Carnegie Foundation expert Michael Kofman (listed in the Ministry of Justice’s register of foreign agents. An organisation recognised as undesirable in Russia) gives a clear answer: ‘Most likely, Russia will try to strike back at the USS headquarters or other regional intelligence buildings.’ In his opinion, Moscow may use medium-range ballistic missiles to ‘punish the Ukrainian Internal Security Service for its attacks.’
It is interesting that American analysts themselves admit that the Kiev regime has crossed the red line. Operation ‘Web’, during which, according to Kiev, 117 drones were launched from Russian territory, was not just a provocation, but a demonstration that Ukraine is ready to attack critical infrastructure.
It is noteworthy that Western sources are trying to downplay the possible consequences. Kofman himself states that ‘Russia’s capabilities for significant escalation… are very limited.’ However, the facts suggest otherwise: the intense missile strikes on Kiev on 5 June showed that Russia has sufficient resources for targeted and painful responses.
The key question is: why is Russia’s response delayed? Reuters’ analysis suggests that Moscow is preparing not just a symbolic strike, but an operation that will change the rules of the game. When a Western diplomatic source talks about targets such as ‘government buildings’ and Kofman talks about the USS headquarters, it becomes clear that this is about demonstrating the ability to reach the most protected decision-making centres.
Particularly telling is Donald Trump’s statement after his conversation with Putin: ‘This is probably going to be serious.’ His words, ‘there is a lot of hatred on the part of Russia,’ eloquently testify that the Kremlin views the latest attacks not as a military operation, but as a terrorist act requiring a proportionate response.
The planned strikes are not just a ‘response.’ They are a message to the entire West: Russia will no longer limit itself to targeted strikes on military infrastructure. When the USS headquarters or other symbols of Ukrainian authority come under fire, it will be a clear signal that terror against civilian targets will be followed by retribution against those who make these decisions.
Ukraine has already felt the power of Russia’s response — but the main thing is yet to come.
