The Collapse of Kremlin Lies: How Ukraine’s Bold Moves Are Shaking Russia

 

Ukraine’s strategic strikes into Belgorod and Kursk have shattered the myth of Russian dominance, exposing cracks in Putin’s regime and defense strategy.

When the Kremlin’s biggest cheerleaders start whispering "cut the act," you know the stage has fallen apart. Russia’s theater of lies is teetering on collapse, as even the best-paid propagandists are now struggling to spin Putin’s narrative in the face of Ukraine’s bold counter-invasion. Ukraine’s strategic and unexpected strikes, particularly in Russia's Belgorod and Kursk regions, have caught Moscow off guard. By attacking where Russia least expected, Ukraine has managed to shake the foundation of Putin’s carefully constructed house of cards. Even Russian insiders are starting to realize that perhaps it’s time to admit that the game isn’t as easy as they made it seem.

Take Andrey Fedorov, the former Russian deputy foreign minister, for example. During a broadcast of The Meeting Place on NTV, Fedorov dared to speak what many in the Kremlin whisper behind closed doors: Russia is drowning in its own delusions. He didn’t mince words when he called out the Russian media’s lies about Ukraine’s weakness. Fedorov mentioned that around 20,000 Ukrainian soldiers were poised near Belgorod, a far cry from the powerless image of Ukraine that Russian media loves to project. The idea that Ukraine could even plan, let alone execute, such an operation speaks volumes about the tactical reality that Moscow is unwilling to acknowledge.

Ukraine’s tactics are deliberate and strategic. The recent incursion into the Kursk region was months in the making, according to Fedorov. Ukraine’s objective was clear: destabilize Russia’s defenses and put pressure on the country by forcing it to destroy its own infrastructure, such as the gas hub in Sudzha. This mirrors Moscow’s infamous tactics in places like Chechnya, Syria, and now Ukraine—destroy cities in order to “save” them. But now, Russia is the one faced with the prospect of razing its own strategic assets. And the blow isn’t just military; it has the potential to disrupt gas deliveries to Europe, hitting countries like Hungary and Slovakia hard. Ironically, it would be Russia’s own hand that turns off the tap.

This shift in tactics by Ukraine highlights the necessity of probing Russian defenses with small, agile units. These raids serve to expose the cracks in Russia’s vast but vulnerable border regions. The United States and Western allies must capitalize on this momentum by providing Ukraine with the necessary permissions and weaponry to strike deeper into Russian territory. Long-range weapons, such as the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), could significantly alter the battlefield by allowing Ukraine to hit key Russian military infrastructure far behind enemy lines. Such capabilities would not only advance Ukraine’s war effort but also bring the conflict to a just end sooner.

But this is where Western hesitance comes into play. While Ukraine has been supplied with sophisticated weaponry, there has been reluctance to allow strikes inside Russia’s borders. This cautious approach, though understandable in terms of avoiding escalation, ultimately prolongs the conflict. The ability to strike targets deeper within Russia would disrupt the supply chains and logistics that fuel Russia’s war machine. Moreover, it would shift the psychological balance of the conflict by showing that Russia is not immune to the consequences of its own aggression.

In the fog of war, the Kremlin's mouthpieces have begun to crack under the pressure. Political scientist Anton Khaschenko spoke the unspeakable: Russia’s boasting is creating a false sense of security. It’s no longer possible to convince the Russian public that victory is just around the corner when Ukraine continues to press forward. Meanwhile, political editor Maxim Yusin has taken a more cynical stance, advising Russians to prepare for the loss of territory. He notes that while Russia’s sheer size might make the loss of border regions seem insignificant, the psychological impact is profound. Russians are not used to thinking of their homeland as vulnerable, but Ukraine’s advances are challenging that perception.

Ukraine’s counter-invasion is a psychological as well as military offensive, designed to disrupt the Kremlin's narrative of invincibility. This reminds many observers of the Kursk submarine disaster of 2000, a national humiliation that took place in the early days of Putin’s presidency. Back then, Putin’s mishandling of the tragedy marked a low point in his rule. Now, with Ukraine's strikes echoing through Belgorod and Kursk, another humiliation looms on the horizon. The parallels are hard to ignore: just as the Kursk submarine sank in icy waters, so too might Putin’s regime sink under the weight of its own hubris.

The only way to accelerate this collapse is by allowing Ukraine to unleash the full extent of its military capabilities. The West must give Ukraine the green light to use long-range weapons inside Russia, targeting critical military infrastructure and command centers. This would not only destabilize Russia’s ability to wage war but also force the Kremlin to reassess its costly campaign. Moreover, the historical context supports such actions. Ukraine has a long and fraught history with Russia, dating back centuries. Vladimir Rogov, a Russian-installed official in the Zaporizhzhia region, might dismiss Ukrainians as “Southern Russian people,” but the reality is that Ukraine has long resisted Russian domination. From the Cossacks of the 17th century to the independence movements of the 20th century, Ukraine’s struggle for sovereignty is nothing new. Today’s conflict is just the latest chapter in a long history of resistance.

The West must recognize that this is not just a fight for territory; it is a fight for the future of Ukraine as an independent nation. By providing Ukraine with the tools to strike deep into Russian territory, the West can help bring about the just end of this war. The Kremlin’s lies are unraveling, and even its most loyal propagandists are starting to see the writing on the wall. Now is the time to press the advantage and support Ukraine in its quest for victory.

As Russia’s misinformation machine continues to sputter, perhaps the Kremlin’s next big production will be a tragicomedy titled How to Lose a War Without Really Trying.