In the wake of the terrorist attack at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall last Friday, which killed at least 143 people, Russia is in mourning.
Despite ISIS claiming responsibility for the attack, the Russian leadership has repeatedly blamed Ukraine and its Western backers.
But even without the Crocus City Hall attack, Mr. Putin was primed to step up his assault on Ukraine.
After his landslide victory in this month’s rubber-stamp presidential election, Mr. Putin is more secure than ever in his position and free to focus fully on the war effort.
The timing is good, too: With Western military support for Kyiv mired in uncertainty, the next few months offer Moscow a window of opportunity for new offensives.
Persons:
Vladimir Putin, “, ”, Dmitri Peskov, Putin
Organizations:
Moscow’s, ISIS
Locations:
Moscow’s Crocus, Russia, Ukraine, Kyiv, Crocus, Russian, Moscow