Alexander Etkind

Russian oil refineries and logistics centres are reportedly being hit by Ukrainian drones, exposing the vulnerabilities created by Russia’s size and contributing to fuel shortages and supply disruptions. The piece argues that Putin’s effort to separate the war from life inside Russia has failed, while his relationship with Donald Trump and Russia’s nuclear threats are losing effectiveness. Although Ukraine has not yet achieved a decisive battlefield victory, the author contends that Russia’s defeat is already politically and institutionally determined. The broader argument frames war as both a moral catastrophe and a test that exposes institutional failure, with leaders and states bearing responsibility for aggression.