Russia amassed missiles for major strike: Zhdanov warns when Putin might deploy strategic aviation
Military analyst posits that deep strikes into Ukraine are unlikely until the U.S. greenlights Tomahawk transfers.
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Oleh Zhdanov
Russian forces have stockpiled missiles, yet over the past fortnight, they have refrained from unleashing strategic aviation for inland assaults on Ukraine. Moscow, it seems, hasn't changed its tactics, but has opted for a tactical pause driven by political reasons.
This assessment comes from military commentator Oleh Zhdanov in remarks to TSN.ua.
He says the adversary is following its plan:
"I reckon it's not just strategic aviation that's on hold—overall deep-territory strikes across Ukraine have been withheld purely for political leverage. Meetings between Donald Trump and President Zelensky are being planned now. Talks are underway about supplying us with Tomahawk missiles. And Russia understands that these missiles will be very difficult to counter. And the probability of them penetrating Russian air defenses is incredibly high.”
The expert suggests that Russia currently does not want to escalate the situation and is waiting to see how events unfold.
"Will this be just more talk from Donald Trump, or real steps to transfer weapons like Tomahawks to us. That's why, in my view, Putin isn't striking deep into the country right now—to avoid giving Trump a reason to say: "Escalation—he's still killing civilians, here's Tomahawks for you." That's the balance they're maintaining," Oleh Zhdanov believes.
At the same time, everything else is proceeding per the Russian plan, the expert says: destruction of energy, oil-and-gas, thermal power, and electric power infrastructure in Ukraine.
"Putin is continuing this operation to shape public opinion toward Ukraine's capitulation. Either you freeze and I'll force it with real genocide, or you'll agree voluntarily. In Europe, he's started phase zero of shaping public opinion, but there it's a lighter version regarding the use of strike assets. There, it's special operations work, agent networks, propaganda through loyal or bought journalists, bloggers, mass media, and politicians in particular," the expert says.