Is Russia's rocket fire on Ukrainian cities an act of revenge or a long-term plan? According to the Ukrainian secret service, the Kremlin ordered the attacks in early October. Meanwhile, Russia's agitator Medvedev threatens again: "The first episode is over. There will be more."
According to Ukrainian information, Russia has been planning heavy rocket fire on Ukrainian cities since the beginning of October - and thus even before the explosion on the Crimean bridge a few days ago. This was announced by the military intelligence service in Kyiv.
Russian forces received instructions from the Presidential Office on October 2 and 3 to prepare for massive rocket attacks on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, the intelligence service said. Objects of critical civil infrastructure and the central areas of densely populated Ukrainian cities were identified as targets.
The trigger for the escalation this Monday is actually the explosion on the strategically important Crimean bridge, which shook Russia on Saturday, one day after the 70th birthday of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The bridge was a prestige project of the Kremlin boss. Putin then blamed Ukraine for the blast that destroyed parts of the bridge. However, Kyiv has not claimed responsibility for the crime.
On Monday, Russia fired more than 80 rockets at Kyiv and other cities in Ukraine. The attacks in the morning killed at least 11 people across the country and injured at least 87, according to the Ukrainian civil defense. According to Mayor Vitaly Klitschko, five people died in Kyiv alone and at least 52 were injured. Many people were on their way to work.
While the West sharply condemned the attacks on civilians as terrorism, Moscow was satisfied. The Russian Defense Ministry described the massive rocket fire as a success. "The target of the strike was achieved. All designated targets were hit," said Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov. Putin called the rocket attack a reaction to Ukrainian "terrorist attacks". In the event of further attacks, Russia will respond even more harshly.
Russia's ex-president Dmitry Medvedev also threatened new rocket attacks on Ukrainian cities. "The first episode is over. There will be more," wrote Medvedev, who is Deputy Secretary of the Security Council, on Telegram. The Ukrainian state in its current form is a constant threat to Russia. Therefore, the political leadership of the neighboring country must be completely eliminated, stressed Medvedev. This is his "personal position".
