X Close

The war is coming to Russia’s elites

Russian police and National Guard servicemen patrol Red Square. Credit: Getty

May 31, 2023 - 5:00pm

While Russia has spent weeks bracing itself for Ukraine’s counteroffensive to be unleashed on the front line, it is now facing an escalation of violence on its own territory. 

This morning, drone attacks on oil refineries sparked fires in Russia’s Krasnodar region. Meanwhile, the governor of Belgorod reported that four people had been injured in a “massive strike” on the town of Shebekino, with several buildings also damaged. In recent days, he has repeatedly complained of Ukrainian shelling of the town. 

These are merely the latest assaults on Russia’s border regions. On 22nd May, two anti-Kremlin and pro-Ukraine partisan groups, the Liberty of Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps, launched a daring cross-border raid from Ukraine into Belgorod. While Russia claimed to have killed over 70 insurgents in quelling the assault, the leader of the Russian Volunteer Corps, Denis Kapustin, promised more attacks. Aside from bringing the war to Russia and causing disquiet among its domestic population, such incursions work in Ukraine’s favour by forcing the Kremlin to enhance its military presence in these areas, diverting men and resources away from the front line just before the crucial Ukrainian counteroffensive. 

Along with incursions on the border, in recent days there has been an intensification of violence deeper in the heart of Russia. Drone strikes in the capital are now increasing in terms of both the scale of the attacks and the boldness of the targets. 

Following a hit on the Kremlin on 3rd May, Russia claimed that at least eight drones caused minor damage and injured two people in residential areas of Moscow on Tuesday, the first time the city has been targeted by multiple drones since the start of the war. Three were downed over the prestigious Rublyovka suburb, home to numerous members of the political elite and even a residence belonging to Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

For its part, Ukraine’s leadership has distanced itself from the attacks but done nothing to deny that this trend may develop further. Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said that, while his country “has nothing directly to do” with the drone assault on Moscow, it was “pleased to observe and predicts an increase in the number of attacks”. 

The Russian government has not taken the latest incident lightly. Attacks in the capital destroy Putin’s carefully cultivated aura of invincibility and make Russia’s defences appear weak. Having striven to shelter the Moscow elite from the impact of the war, not least by recruiting disproportionately in poorer and more rural areas, Putin is likely to be especially aggravated by any actions which force Muscovites to confront the reality of the war and so risk exacerbating elite opposition to the invasion. 

As such, it is unsurprising that the Russian President described the attacks as “a sign of terrorist activity” and made ominous nuclear threats, adding that that the perpetrators are “provoking us into responding in kind”. Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry has asserted its “right to take the harshest measures in response” to the assault. 

Eager not to be left out, Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of the Chechen Republic, took to Telegram yesterday to respond to the Moscow drone attacks by threatening that “we will show what revenge is in the full sense of the word”. More specifically, he proposed the introduction of martial law in Russia, urged the country’s military to strike “at the places of accumulation of terrorist leaders until nothing remains” and claimed that Russia will “knock on the doors of Germany and Poland”. 

While Kadyrov’s threats may suffer from an excess of ambition, he has clearly understood that recent weeks have seen an unprecedented intensification of the conflict as Ukrainian-aligned forces take the fight to Russian soil. The war has escalated, but far from the front line.


Bethany Elliott is a writer specialising in Russia and Eastern Europe.

BethanyAElliott

Join the discussion


Join like minded readers that support our journalism by becoming a paid subscriber


To join the discussion in the comments, become a paid subscriber.

Join like minded readers that support our journalism, read unlimited articles and enjoy other subscriber-only benefits.

Subscribe
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

27 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
David Yetter
David Yetter
1 year ago

Hmm.. Putin asserts, “the perpetrators are “provoking us into responding in kind”. It seems to me that the drone attacks on Moscow are a response in kind to the nearly perpetual Russian rocket and drone attacks on civilian targets in Kyiv (and Ukraine in general).

Stoater D
Stoater D
1 year ago
Reply to  David Yetter

Oh, dear.
Hook,line and sinker.

Stoater D
Stoater D
1 year ago
Reply to  David Yetter

Oh, dear.
Hook,line and sinker.

David Yetter
David Yetter
1 year ago

Hmm.. Putin asserts, “the perpetrators are “provoking us into responding in kind”. It seems to me that the drone attacks on Moscow are a response in kind to the nearly perpetual Russian rocket and drone attacks on civilian targets in Kyiv (and Ukraine in general).

Will K
Will K
1 year ago

The war in Ukraine is terrible. It’s a failure of diplomacy. Whether the West or the East was more to blame, hardly matters now. What is most important now, is to stop the escalation.

martin logan
martin logan
1 year ago
Reply to  Will K

The escalation will stop when Ukraine reaches Crimea, and forces a mass evacuation to Russia.

Very soon after Russia collapses.

Stoater D
Stoater D
1 year ago
Reply to  martin logan

Fantasy.

Jerry Carroll
Jerry Carroll
1 year ago
Reply to  martin logan

The view of the window from the armchair is always rosy

Stoater D
Stoater D
1 year ago
Reply to  martin logan

Fantasy.

Jerry Carroll
Jerry Carroll
1 year ago
Reply to  martin logan

The view of the window from the armchair is always rosy

martin logan
martin logan
1 year ago
Reply to  Will K

The escalation will stop when Ukraine reaches Crimea, and forces a mass evacuation to Russia.

Very soon after Russia collapses.

Will K
Will K
1 year ago

The war in Ukraine is terrible. It’s a failure of diplomacy. Whether the West or the East was more to blame, hardly matters now. What is most important now, is to stop the escalation.

Jerry Carroll
Jerry Carroll
1 year ago

Don’t count on the Russia people to crack. Their acceptance of the suffering needed to defeat the Geman army in WW2 staggers the imagination. Compared to the battle for Stalingrad, the invasion of Normandy and the fighting on the Western Front that followed was no more than a skirmish.

Jerry Carroll
Jerry Carroll
1 year ago

Don’t count on the Russia people to crack. Their acceptance of the suffering needed to defeat the Geman army in WW2 staggers the imagination. Compared to the battle for Stalingrad, the invasion of Normandy and the fighting on the Western Front that followed was no more than a skirmish.

Jim Veenbaas
Jim Veenbaas
1 year ago

No way this can go sideways. I’m sure Moscow will pull out of Ukraine any minute now.

Emil Castelli
Emil Castelli
1 year ago
Reply to  Jim Veenbaas

”Aside from bringing the war to Russia and causing disquiet among its domestic population, such incursions work in Ukraine’s favour by forcing the Kremlin to enhance its military presence in these areas, diverting men and resources away from the front line just before the crucial Ukrainian counteroffensive.”

Who is this genius Military Analyst?

Glad she did not waste readers time with ‘False Flags’ or ‘CIA’ ‘Dark Opps’, or stuff like:

”bombing of the Nord Stream gas pipelines last September was carried out by a team of divers operating from a 15-metre chartered yacht called the Andromed’‘ crewed by Russians… or silly stuff – like USA did it using Norwegian divers….

Because this war taught us, ‘If it seems likely to be true, and is reported as true, it is Likely True’, and so no need to look deeper – Like Sanctions – they work Great, and Closing SWIFT – that really hurt the Ruble…..

And the Ukraine Military may lose 7 to each Russian lost, but they are winning and soon will be retaking Crimea. And no matter what we do in this Proxy War, like giving a couple hundred Billion $$$ of weapons and aid, and live Intel – it is nothing to do with us.

Great coverage, can’t wait for the next installment.

j watson
j watson
1 year ago
Reply to  Jim Veenbaas

I reckon that’s not immediate JV but quite possible we see evacuation of Crimea some point this summer. In part why Ukrainian Special Forces left the Kerch Bridge intact – give people an ‘out’.

Emil Castelli
Emil Castelli
1 year ago
Reply to  Jim Veenbaas

”Aside from bringing the war to Russia and causing disquiet among its domestic population, such incursions work in Ukraine’s favour by forcing the Kremlin to enhance its military presence in these areas, diverting men and resources away from the front line just before the crucial Ukrainian counteroffensive.”

Who is this genius Military Analyst?

Glad she did not waste readers time with ‘False Flags’ or ‘CIA’ ‘Dark Opps’, or stuff like:

”bombing of the Nord Stream gas pipelines last September was carried out by a team of divers operating from a 15-metre chartered yacht called the Andromed’‘ crewed by Russians… or silly stuff – like USA did it using Norwegian divers….

Because this war taught us, ‘If it seems likely to be true, and is reported as true, it is Likely True’, and so no need to look deeper – Like Sanctions – they work Great, and Closing SWIFT – that really hurt the Ruble…..

And the Ukraine Military may lose 7 to each Russian lost, but they are winning and soon will be retaking Crimea. And no matter what we do in this Proxy War, like giving a couple hundred Billion $$$ of weapons and aid, and live Intel – it is nothing to do with us.

Great coverage, can’t wait for the next installment.

j watson
j watson
1 year ago
Reply to  Jim Veenbaas

I reckon that’s not immediate JV but quite possible we see evacuation of Crimea some point this summer. In part why Ukrainian Special Forces left the Kerch Bridge intact – give people an ‘out’.

Jim Veenbaas
Jim Veenbaas
1 year ago

No way this can go sideways. I’m sure Moscow will pull out of Ukraine any minute now.

j watson
j watson
1 year ago

Could transpire to be v clever signal from Ukraine. Just enough but not too much. Who’s rattled?
Ukraine’s patience in not hitting outside their own borders more often has been almost miraculous given what they’ve endured. But that patience shows a cold bloodied focus on their strategy. That is what is needed.

j watson
j watson
1 year ago

Could transpire to be v clever signal from Ukraine. Just enough but not too much. Who’s rattled?
Ukraine’s patience in not hitting outside their own borders more often has been almost miraculous given what they’ve endured. But that patience shows a cold bloodied focus on their strategy. That is what is needed.

Emmanuel MARTIN
Emmanuel MARTIN
1 year ago

The war is coming for russian middle classes. Popov “ne fera pas le voyage pour rien” as french rugby players say when the referee handles them a warly colored card.
If nato wants total war versus Russia, it will get it. As a frog, I wouldn’t mind France to offer asylum to Kurdish freedom fighters and get booted out of NATO by request of the re-elected sultan, ideally before the nukes start raining.

Michel Torelli
Michel Torelli
1 year ago

You don’t get my friend…the reality is that Putin would like to have total war using nukes against NATO…but the problem is the Russian forces are so clumsy and incompetent that he wonders what would be the benefit of attacking NATO, when the Russian forces cannot even make it in Ukraine…

martin logan
martin logan
1 year ago

Don’t be bamboozled by the usual Russian threats. They always do that–until you simply face them down and they slink away.

Sadly, much of Moscow’s aging nuke deterrent is already ineffective against US and NATO defences.

Recall the Kinzhal?

If fear gives you un certain frisson in your own private world, no problem.

But things are much different in Real World.

Michel Torelli
Michel Torelli
1 year ago

You don’t get my friend…the reality is that Putin would like to have total war using nukes against NATO…but the problem is the Russian forces are so clumsy and incompetent that he wonders what would be the benefit of attacking NATO, when the Russian forces cannot even make it in Ukraine…

martin logan
martin logan
1 year ago

Don’t be bamboozled by the usual Russian threats. They always do that–until you simply face them down and they slink away.

Sadly, much of Moscow’s aging nuke deterrent is already ineffective against US and NATO defences.

Recall the Kinzhal?

If fear gives you un certain frisson in your own private world, no problem.

But things are much different in Real World.

Emmanuel MARTIN
Emmanuel MARTIN
1 year ago

The war is coming for russian middle classes. Popov “ne fera pas le voyage pour rien” as french rugby players say when the referee handles them a warly colored card.
If nato wants total war versus Russia, it will get it. As a frog, I wouldn’t mind France to offer asylum to Kurdish freedom fighters and get booted out of NATO by request of the re-elected sultan, ideally before the nukes start raining.

Adam Bacon
Adam Bacon
1 year ago

Perhaps if a few drones started focusing minds and reality in and around London, Washington, Paris, Berlin etc as well, a solution to this war might be found in a very short space of time..

Billy Bob
Billy Bob
1 year ago
Reply to  Adam Bacon

Paris, London, Washington and Berlin have been very clear about how peace can be obtained. It’s for Russia to call off it’s invasion. Nobody is going to invade Moscow if the Russians retreat so the blame for the ongoing bloodshed lies firmly with the Kremlin, nobody else

Emil Castelli
Emil Castelli
1 year ago
Reply to  Billy Bob

What a silly view.

Wars – one side good, one side bad. One side peace-loving good guys, the other bloodlusting Monsters.

There is NO History, No outsiders, no abuses – except from the BAD side.

Got it. Same as every war, same as WWI and WWII, and same as Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

The Bad guys must lose, and the good guys must win because there is NO nuance, there is the ‘All Bad’ – who must lose, and the ‘All Good’, who must Win.

Got it….

Biden and Boris are on the same page as you. Of course they are criminal monsters, but I guess stopped clocks are right sometimes.

Peter B
Peter B
1 year ago
Reply to  Emil Castelli

Certainly a silly comment. Completely incoherent ranting. Doesn’t belong on UnHerd.

Stoater D
Stoater D
1 year ago
Reply to  Peter B

He’s right.

Stoater D
Stoater D
1 year ago
Reply to  Peter B

He’s right.

Jim Veenbaas
Jim Veenbaas
1 year ago
Reply to  Emil Castelli

Really liked this comment. I would argue there were actual bad guys in WWII.

Peter B
Peter B
1 year ago
Reply to  Emil Castelli

Certainly a silly comment. Completely incoherent ranting. Doesn’t belong on UnHerd.

Jim Veenbaas
Jim Veenbaas
1 year ago
Reply to  Emil Castelli

Really liked this comment. I would argue there were actual bad guys in WWII.

Emil Castelli
Emil Castelli
1 year ago
Reply to  Billy Bob

What a silly view.

Wars – one side good, one side bad. One side peace-loving good guys, the other bloodlusting Monsters.

There is NO History, No outsiders, no abuses – except from the BAD side.

Got it. Same as every war, same as WWI and WWII, and same as Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

The Bad guys must lose, and the good guys must win because there is NO nuance, there is the ‘All Bad’ – who must lose, and the ‘All Good’, who must Win.

Got it….

Biden and Boris are on the same page as you. Of course they are criminal monsters, but I guess stopped clocks are right sometimes.

martin logan
martin logan
1 year ago
Reply to  Adam Bacon

Then NATO would provide Kyiv with missiles capable of reaching Moscow.

Not a very smart trade for Putin, wouldn’t you agree?

Billy Bob
Billy Bob
1 year ago
Reply to  Adam Bacon

Paris, London, Washington and Berlin have been very clear about how peace can be obtained. It’s for Russia to call off it’s invasion. Nobody is going to invade Moscow if the Russians retreat so the blame for the ongoing bloodshed lies firmly with the Kremlin, nobody else

martin logan
martin logan
1 year ago
Reply to  Adam Bacon

Then NATO would provide Kyiv with missiles capable of reaching Moscow.

Not a very smart trade for Putin, wouldn’t you agree?

Adam Bacon
Adam Bacon
1 year ago

Perhaps if a few drones started focusing minds and reality in and around London, Washington, Paris, Berlin etc as well, a solution to this war might be found in a very short space of time..

Paul Hemphill
Paul Hemphill
1 year ago

As one comment noted, the view out the window from the armchair is often rosy. All the scenarios captured in the comments are potentially possible. And accidents can and do happen that blindside everyone, pundits particularly. The next few weeks and months will be interesting for us observers and continue to be devastating for the participants.

Paul Hemphill
Paul Hemphill
1 year ago

As one comment noted, the view out the window from the armchair is often rosy. All the scenarios captured in the comments are potentially possible. And accidents can and do happen that blindside everyone, pundits particularly. The next few weeks and months will be interesting for us observers and continue to be devastating for the participants.

Todd Kreigh
Todd Kreigh
1 year ago

Putin: “Just because we attacked a sovereign nation and blew up their cities and raped and murdered civilians doesn’t give them the right to do it to us. Ukrainians are so mean! . .goddamnit, where are my nukes?” AND .. [screamed the welfare mom at a recent AOC town hall]: “why you spending all that money on Ukraine instead of us?” Yeah. Quit wasting bllions on the lost cause that is Ukraine. Because we have plenty of other lost causes to waste it on right here in America. These two compelling arguments, taken together, prove why Ukraine should fail.

Todd Kreigh
Todd Kreigh
1 year ago

Putin: “Just because we attacked a sovereign nation and blew up their cities and raped and murdered civilians doesn’t give them the right to do it to us. Ukrainians are so mean! . .goddamnit, where are my nukes?” AND .. [screamed the welfare mom at a recent AOC town hall]: “why you spending all that money on Ukraine instead of us?” Yeah. Quit wasting bllions on the lost cause that is Ukraine. Because we have plenty of other lost causes to waste it on right here in America. These two compelling arguments, taken together, prove why Ukraine should fail.

Michel Torelli
Michel Torelli
1 year ago

You don’t get it my friend…the reality is that Putin would like to have total war using nukes against NATO…but the problem is that Russian forces are so clumsy and incompetent that he wonders what would be the benefit of attacking NATO, when the Russian forces cannot even make it in Ukraine…

j watson
j watson
1 year ago
Reply to  Michel Torelli

Why would Putin, or his Praetorian Guard, want a nuclear war that results in their own destruction and of all their family, friends and accumulated wealth? He and they no more want a Nuclear confrontation than Khrushchev did in 62. Sabre rattling.
That said a major incident related to further damage at Zaporishzhia remains possible. If deliberate would not be surprised to find a Russian plant hit by saboteurs too in a form of retaliation. A dangerous escalation, but not the launch of Nukes.

Peter B
Peter B
1 year ago
Reply to  Michel Torelli

The benefit of attacking NATO would be that Russia would be completely smashed and forced to face up to what it has become. It actually needs a catastrophic defeat like Germany and Japan in WWII if it is ever to get rid of its rotten culture of patronage, corruption, censorship and secret police. It spreads the same rotten disease everywhere it interferes – Syria, Ukraine, Africa, … .
Anyone still under any illusions about what Russia is at this point needs professional help.

Stoater D
Stoater D
1 year ago
Reply to  Michel Torelli

Major BS.

j watson
j watson
1 year ago
Reply to  Michel Torelli

Why would Putin, or his Praetorian Guard, want a nuclear war that results in their own destruction and of all their family, friends and accumulated wealth? He and they no more want a Nuclear confrontation than Khrushchev did in 62. Sabre rattling.
That said a major incident related to further damage at Zaporishzhia remains possible. If deliberate would not be surprised to find a Russian plant hit by saboteurs too in a form of retaliation. A dangerous escalation, but not the launch of Nukes.

Peter B
Peter B
1 year ago
Reply to  Michel Torelli

The benefit of attacking NATO would be that Russia would be completely smashed and forced to face up to what it has become. It actually needs a catastrophic defeat like Germany and Japan in WWII if it is ever to get rid of its rotten culture of patronage, corruption, censorship and secret police. It spreads the same rotten disease everywhere it interferes – Syria, Ukraine, Africa, … .
Anyone still under any illusions about what Russia is at this point needs professional help.

Stoater D
Stoater D
1 year ago
Reply to  Michel Torelli

Major BS.

Michel Torelli
Michel Torelli
1 year ago

You don’t get it my friend…the reality is that Putin would like to have total war using nukes against NATO…but the problem is that Russian forces are so clumsy and incompetent that he wonders what would be the benefit of attacking NATO, when the Russian forces cannot even make it in Ukraine…