The pattern that exists is to destroy

At the same time that Ukraine is apparently gaining ground in the Russian Kursk region, Russia is directing extensive attacks against several parts of Ukraine. But according to military expert Joakim Paasikivi, there is no direct connection.

– No, it would have come regardless, he says.

Over the course of two nights, hundreds of drones and robots have been fired from Russia and threatened large parts of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, a new front could be about to be created in the Kursk region of Russia, after Ukraine launched its surprise offensive there three weeks ago.

But military expert Joakim Paasikivi does not believe that the Russian attacks would be a response to the Ukrainian offensive.

“Intensified bombing campaign”

– No, it would have come regardless. We have seen an intensified bombing campaign during the year.

– We have such a desire to see patterns that we are always looking for them. But the pattern that exists is a Russian ambition to destroy the Ukrainian electricity grid in order to industrially and economically devastate Ukraine.

– The Russian ambition is to win the war, that doesn’t change anything.

As on several previous occasions, Russia has targeted the already strained Ukrainian energy supply. In several places, including in the capital Kiev, the power went out on Monday and major electricity companies in the country introduced emergency stops in the power supply.

– It is part of Russia’s attempt to make Ukraine uninhabitable as a modern country, says Joakim Paasikivi.

“Want to make the Ukrainians give up”

– Ever since 2022, they are trying to get the population to have no heating and no functioning life in the cities. That in turn could create a wave of refugees. I think that ambition is certainly still there.

– They want to get the Ukrainians to give up their country.