Tension in the European continent is escalating to a new level. Dmytro Kuleba, who led Ukrainian diplomacy between 2020 and 2024, was blunt in pointing out that the Kremlin, under the command of Vladimir Putin, is designing a broader confrontation against Europe.
According to Kuleba, it is not necessarily a massive invasion with hundreds of thousands of soldiers, but a war of technological and psychological attrition. "We don't have to drag you, Putin will drag you into the war", the former official stated.
The "Modus Operandi" of the Russian threat
Kuleba argues that Moscow does not need a conventional army to destabilize the region, but rather surgical tools:
- Strategic drones: Attacks on key infrastructure to test NATO's response.
- Hybrid Warfare: Cyberattacks, sabotage, and massive disinformation campaigns.
- Infrastructure terrorism: Disruption of critical services to weaken European support for Ukraine.
A concrete example was the attempted drone attack on the Leipzig airport in Germany during August. Although the operation failed, the German government confirmed Moscow's responsibility, which forced an urgent review of security at sensitive points in the country.
| Attack Front | Targets / Action | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Europe (NATO) | Key Infrastructure / Airports | Testing of unity and preparedness |
| Ukraine (Civil) | Energy, bridges, schools, and buses | Breaking of civilian spirit |
| Donbas | Urban centers (e.g., Kramatorsk) | Civilian casualties (33 dead in attack on buses) |
Regarding the internal panorama of Ukraine, the scenario is desolate. Kuleba warned that the country is heading toward its worst winter, while Russia intensifies bombings against the energy grid and transport, including bridges over the Dnieper River. For the former minister, these attacks are a clear symptom of Russian failure on the battlefield.
Finally, Kuleba closed the door to immediate diplomacy, ensuring that Vladimir Putin is no longer someone who can be persuaded to end the war through negotiations.
Source: Imago