Russia's Air Strikes on Ukraine: A Psychological War Against the West?

Ukraine Under Renewed Airstrikes: ISW Report Highlights Psychological Warfare on West Recent Russian air strikes on Ukraine have prompted analysis from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), suggesting a strategic aim beyond immediate military objectives. The ISW reports that the attacks, some of the largest since the war began, involved a record number of drones and missiles launched against various Ukrainian regions. These attacks, according to the ISW, were intended to have a psychological impact on the West, to weaken Ukrainian resolve, and to dissuade further international support. "These massive air strikes weren't just about inflicting immediate damage," explains an ISW analyst in the video. "Russia is attempting to influence Western perceptions of the war's trajectory, suggesting a Russian victory is inevitable and further aid is pointless." The attacks resulted in casualties and significant damage across several Ukrainian regions. The Ukrainian air force reported intercepting a large number of incoming drones. The video contrasts the Russian claims of success with the Ukrainian account of the damage inflicted. While the conflict continues, the ISW's analysis sheds light on the evolving strategic dimensions of the war, highlighting the psychological warfare element and its potential implications for the future course of the conflict.