Calls for military escalation are mounting in Russia following a series of Ukrainian drone strikes targeting deep inside Russian territory. Nationalist officials and commentators are now urging President Vladimir Putin to abandon negotiations with the United States and significantly escalate the war effort.
According to Reuters, these hardliners believe that diplomatic efforts backed by Washington have failed to produce a favorable outcome for Russia. They are demanding, in particular, an end to talks with the United States and a more offensive military response to Ukrainian attacks.
The demands made by these "hawks" are not new, but they have intensified following recent Ukrainian strikes against Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Crimea. Russian authorities have also reported two deadly attacks on passenger buses, which they attribute to Ukraine.
Among the proposals put forward are strikes against the leaders of Kyiv, the destruction of the Ukrainian government district, attacks targeting drone factories in Europe, and, for some, the possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons. These positions reflect the most radical currents of Russian political debate.
Some nationalist commentators also cite Iran as an example of a more aggressive military strategy, arguing that Moscow should adopt a similar stance toward its adversaries. They believe Russia must respond more firmly to attacks targeting its territory.
Analysts interviewed by Reuters believe, however, that this increasingly belligerent rhetoric primarily reflects growing concern about Ukraine's ability to conduct long-range strikes in Russia. According to them, these pronouncements also risk fueling expectations among some segments of the public for an escalation of the conflict, without prejudging the Kremlin's decisions.
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