First time ever: Russian propagandists take unexpected step against Putin following attack on Moscow – NSDC

After strikes on facilities in the Moscow region, Russian propagandists for the first time began to openly doubt the reliability of the air defense around the capital of the Russian Federation, said Andriy Kovalenko, Head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC).

He noted that beyond striking a series of strategic enterprises tied to Russia’s military-industrial complex and oil infrastructure, the raid delivered a major psychological blow.

Kovalenko pointed out that Russian propaganda had previously avoided casting direct doubt on Moscow’s air shields. Since the Soviet era, the capital had been treated as an impenetrable stronghold. Under Vladimir Putin, multiple air defense rings were deployed around the city specifically to keep the realities of the war away from Moscow residents.

Now, according to the NSDC official, that reality is shifting.

"Russian propagandists are openly doubting the reliability of their air defenses, something we have never seen before," Kovalenko stated.

He added that the more Moscow residents feel the impact of the war, the higher the chances for its eventual end.

At the same time, Kovalenko says that the strikes on Russian soil are a direct retaliation for Russia's ongoing onslaught against Ukraine.

"Crucially, this is all a response to Russian attacks. They act first, and the retaliation follows," he concluded.