Ukraine’s deadly strikes are bringing the war home to Russians, and discontent is bubbling up
Ukraine’s Attacks Push War Closer to Home, Sparking Rising Tension in Russia
Ukraine s deadly strikes are bringing - At 4 a.m., Elena Vladimirovna was jolted awake by a deafening buzz above her Moscow apartment. She gazed out the window to spot several drones soaring overhead. The sound soon dissipated, and she assumed the threat had passed. But then a sharp explosion echoed nearby, shaking her fifth-floor building. “Below us, under the balcony, there’s a canopy like a ledge. The drone hit that canopy, and flames erupted, black smoke filled the air,” she recounted. A room in her apartment ignited, prompting her and one of her sons to grab buckets and basins to douse the fire. However, when another blast shook the structure, they decided to rescue their dog and escape.
On May 17, a surge of Ukrainian drone strikes targeted multiple locations in the Moscow region, with at least three fatalities reported, according to Russian officials. While Elena’s building suffered damage across several floors, no severe injuries were recorded. Despite the danger, she and her family managed to survive, though the aftermath left a gaping window hole and unfinished walls—a stark reminder of the war’s encroachment. “I hope no more of them come. We’re still alive. That’s the most important thing,” she said, followed by a quiet wish for the conflict to conclude soon.
War’s Reach Extends Beyond Frontlines
Residents of Russia’s major cities, long shielded from the war’s daily chaos, are now feeling its effects more directly. As Ukrainian long-range strikes intensify, targeting infrastructure deep within the country, the illusion of safety is fading. Fuel shortages, caused by Ukrainian assaults on oil refineries, have compounded the crisis. In Crimea, drivers faced gasoline rationing this week after attacks disrupted supply chains.
Simultaneously, economic strain and tightened internet access have heightened unease. Restrictions on popular messaging apps and fears of state monitoring have created a broader atmosphere of uncertainty, as seen in recent polling data. This tension reached a new level when Ukrainian drones struck St. Petersburg, hours before the start of the Kremlin’s economic forum (SPIEF). Thick smoke lingered in the air as thousands arrived, signaling the war’s reach into the heart of Russia.
Later, during the final day of SPIEF, another drone attack forced residents to stay indoors. In Kronstadt, a port city near St. Petersburg, a resident described the walls trembling at 3 a.m. local time. “The buzzing was so loud, I feared our building might be hit,” she said, despite knowing the targets were likely military. She also noted the sound of Russian anti-missile systems battling the drones.
Public Sentiment Shifts Amid Escalating Strain
According to Alexandra Arkhipova, a social anthropologist at the Paris-based École Normale Supérieure, an informal agreement between the Kremlin and urban residents has unraveled since the 2022 invasion. “The authorities seemed to promise, ‘There is no war for you, dear Muscovites,’ ” she explained. Yet, as strikes grow more frequent and impactful, that promise is beginning to crack. For Elena, the war’s proximity has altered her routine, leaving the violence feel closer than ever before.
“This time, Ukraine’s long-range strikes have reached the Moscow region, and we are sending a clear message to the Russians: their government must end this war,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Kronstadt, situated on Kotlin Island about 19 miles west of St. Petersburg, was established in the early 18th century as a maritime defense hub. The recent strikes underscore Ukraine’s ability to disrupt life in key Russian cities, challenging the notion that the conflict remains distant for many citizens. As the war continues, its shadow grows ever closer to home.