In the early morning of May 3 to 4, it was the Russian capital that was directly targeted by Ukrainian drone attacks. In recent days, drone attacks in Russia and near Moscow have become increasingly significant, raising questions about the military capabilities of the Russian army, which continues to struggle in Ukraine. According to researcher and military historian Guillaume Lasconjarias, Russia is far from collapsing and is adapting its military power to endure against Ukraine.
“The Midi Liberation: Ukrainian strikes on Moscow are increasing. Can we speak of an intensification of attacks against Russia?” Guillaume Lasconjarias states that the context is crucial when evaluating these strikes, emphasizing that hitting Moscow with drones may not necessarily indicate a major weakness in Russian defense but can be a political demonstration.
Regarding Russia’s ability to counter these drone attacks, Lasconjarias mentions that anti-drone warfare is a challenge for all armies, including Russia and Ukraine, but targeting Moscow symbolically can be seen as harassment rather than a direct military threat.
These drone strikes primarily have a political impact, reminding that Russia is not invincible. Despite the resistance in Ukraine, Russia maintains the initiative but struggles to achieve decisive advancements. This stalemate does not necessarily diminish Russia’s image of military power, as it has rebuilt its arsenal with more advanced equipment.
As for European aid of 90 billion euros to Ukraine, Lasconjarias believes it is insufficient to change the situation significantly, with Russia able to sustain its budget through oil revenues. The discussion also dismisses the idea of Russia being on the brink of military collapse, emphasizing the country’s capacity to mobilize and endure a direct confrontation with the West in the coming years.
(*Guillaume Lasconjarias is a historian, military researcher, and Director of Studies and Research at the Institute of Higher National Defense Studies.)
