Putin Is Terrified—And Zelensky Holds the Key to Russia's Crumbling Illusion of Power

 

Zelensky's relentless targeting of Russia is laying bare Putin's vulnerabilities—it's high time we see through the facade of strength and recognize a dictator trembling behind his new missiles. The Russian Emperor is running out of clothes, weapons, and nerves—Putin's new missile gimmicks are nothing more than desperate attempts to save face as Zelensky’s strikes come closer to Moscow.

If Vladimir Putin believes a shiny new missile will scare his opponents into submission, he might be missing a few screws in the mental toolbox. This latest stunt—unveiling an "experimental" intermediate-range ballistic missile, or what Putin called a "new strategic game-changer"—seems more of a desperate flex than a real step toward military victory. The truth is, Russia has used various forms of weaponry throughout this war, ranging from artillery to hypersonic missiles. So, Putin, welcome to the club—every country, including Ukraine, is in the business of developing new weapons, and if you think this missile will intimidate Kyiv or its supporters, you might want to have a quiet word with reality.

Putin’s rhetorical fireworks that followed the launch were just as predictable: a warning to use weapons against any military facilities of countries that supply Ukraine with arms. A reminder might be in order: back in 2022, during the early days of the invasion, Putin promised a swift retaliation against any country that dared to assist Ukraine. Well, the U.S., the U.K., Germany, Poland, and many others have been supplying weapons to Ukraine since day one. And what has Russia done in response to these countries? Absolutely nothing. Putin’s threats are a dime a dozen—loud and threatening at first, but empty when it's time for action. It's no wonder Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky looks less worried about Moscow's warnings and more focused on turning the tables, hitting deep into Russian territory to turn up the heat where it matters.

In the early days of the conflict, it was all about territorial gains and grabbing major Ukrainian cities, but it’s been almost two years now, and Kyiv still stands tall while Moscow is struggling to maintain its grip. Putin's "new missile" narrative feels like another misguided attempt to change that, to paint Russia as a superpower that cannot be trifled with. This missile, described as having intermediate-range capabilities, has reportedly been deployed to strike military and infrastructure targets in Ukraine, with Dnipro as a recent target. However, what is the true significance of this missile? Let’s get the facts straight—it's not exactly a revolutionary breakthrough. Nations around the globe are constantly innovating, and even a smaller country like Ukraine is pushing the limits in modern warfare.

The West has played a significant role here. The United States provided advanced missile systems like the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) to Kyiv, with the capability of hitting long-range targets and taking out strategic Russian facilities, including ammunition depots and command centers. Let’s not forget the U.K.'s provision of Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which are among the longest-range weapons in Ukraine’s arsenal. Ukrainian forces recently used these systems to strike Russian airbases and supply lines. Putin’s response? Well, let’s just say he talked a big game, but he’s yet to cash in those checks he keeps writing.

The story of Putin’s missile fits the same mold as many previous announcements—loud on the delivery, but lacking in actual impact. When Putin decided to invade Ukraine, he likely imagined a swift victory, with his forces marching victoriously through Kyiv in a matter of days. But here we are, with Ukrainian drones reaching as far as Moscow, targeting not just military assets but hitting closer to the nerve center of Russian power. As Ukraine steps up its pressure, it is Zelensky’s team that is rewriting the rules of modern warfare. The country is not just defending itself; it’s actively pushing back, showing that Ukraine is no passive player but an evolving military force capable of striking at the heart of its aggressor.

The symbolism in the latest Ukrainian strikes on Russian soil is unmistakable. On the same day that Putin announced the missile test, Ukrainian forces conducted drone strikes on the Belgorod region, home to several key supply depots for the Russian army. The attacks are a stark reminder to Moscow: its borders are not invincible, and the distance between the front lines and Russian territory is shorter than Putin might like to admit. President Zelensky, bolstered by Western technology, is making it clear that Ukraine will not be a silent target.

Putin’s strategy seems to be to instill fear by presenting Russia as a military juggernaut. Yet, there is a saying: "The dog that barks does not bite." When Putin barks about destroying Western weapons and retaliating against suppliers, it’s clear the rest of the world sees it as just that—barking. So far, no Western supply chain has been directly attacked, nor have the military bases that train Ukrainian troops or the NATO assets that offer satellite intelligence to Kyiv. Russia is increasingly bogged down in a war it didn't adequately prepare for, and the cost—economically, diplomatically, and socially—has been enormous.

The European Union has recently reiterated its stance, emphasizing its continued support for Ukraine amid escalating violence. In an emergency meeting, EU officials unanimously condemned Russia's new missile strikes as a blatant escalation designed to further destabilize the region. NATO allies also met to discuss a unified response, with Jens Stoltenberg, NATO's Secretary-General, stating that "Russia’s latest actions highlight the urgency of supporting Ukraine. We are not intimidated by Putin’s threats."

Zelensky, on his part, remains undeterred. He knows that the best defense is a good offense, and with continued attacks deep into Russian territory, he is applying pressure where it truly matters. The strikes inside Russia are not just attacks; they are symbolic victories that reveal cracks in the illusion of Russian invulnerability. Zelensky’s approach is to expose Russia’s weaknesses, both military and psychological, proving that Moscow can be struck and that Putin’s threats are as brittle as they are loud.

This is a far cry from the early days of 2022, when it was unclear if Ukraine could withstand the Russian onslaught. The tables have turned. It’s now Russia that is becoming increasingly isolated on the battlefield, with its strategic assets under continuous threat. The Ukrainian forces, on the other hand, are advancing with precision strikes, often assisted by Western intelligence, making significant dents in Russian supply lines, logistics hubs, and even their morale. Zelensky’s ability to strike deeper into Russia effectively raises the stakes for Putin—each successful strike exposes Putin’s vulnerability, while his empty threats further damage his credibility both at home and abroad.

One cannot overlook the growing discontent within Russia itself. More and more Russian citizens are beginning to question the value of a conflict that has seen so many of their countrymen perish without a clear end in sight. Putin might be able to control the narrative in the media, but as more Russian soldiers return home in body bags and Ukraine’s strikes move closer to Moscow, it is becoming evident that the emperor might have no clothes. The recent internal dissent within Russian military ranks further illustrates Putin’s crumbling control, and it wouldn’t be far-fetched to think that some of these fractures might eventually contribute to his political undoing.

So, Mr. Putin, is this missile going to intimidate the West? Or will it scare Zelensky into halting his counteroffensive? If anything, it’s only going to motivate Ukraine to dig deeper into its resolve, to strike harder and further, exposing each new vulnerability that Russia presents. Zelensky knows that if he keeps up the pressure, he can potentially force a weakened Russia to the negotiating table on Ukraine’s terms. And that, for Putin, would be the ultimate failure—a defeat not by overwhelming force but by a thousand targeted cuts, each one closer to Moscow’s heart.

They say, "He who lives by the sword dies by the sword." Well, Putin might soon find that his grandiose military ambitions have trapped him in a self-constructed quagmire, where threats are no longer intimidating, and his weapons—no matter how experimental—are proving to be as empty as his promises of a swift victory. Zelensky, on the other hand, is playing the long game, making it clear that no matter what weapon Russia deploys, Ukraine will continue to fight back, hitting targets deep in Russian territory. After all, in this game of high-stakes bluster, the only winner will be the one who still has real strength left when the dust finally settles.