Russians are increasingly experiencing nuisance from the war, partly due to Ukrainian sabotage actions. This is partly due to the Kremlin, which has been wider for Ukrainian drone attacks in recent weeks. Experts explain why dissatisfaction in Russia is growing.
At the Sjeremetjevo airport, just outside Moscow, the Monday sees black of the stranded people. The largest airport in Russia is 650 kilometers from the front line in Ukraine, but lately the war can also be felt more and more. Ukrainian drones disrupt the airspace, which means that planes cannot leave.
Tens of thousands of Russians have already had to deal with delays and cancellations at airports this summer, write The Guardian and The Moscow Times . The worst disturbances were on July 6 and 7. Then no fewer than 485 flights had to be canceled. Nineteen hundred flights were delayed and tens of thousands of reimbursements and hotel nights had to be reimbursed.
On Monday, a sabotage campaign followed by Pro-Ukrainian hackers, who lay down the systems of airline Aeroflot. Dozens of flights were canceled.
It is certainly not the first time that Ukraine is trying to undermine the Kremlin in its own country. But more and more often ‘the ordinary, everyday Russian’ is bothering. “The scale of these kinds of action seems to be increasing,” says historian Karel Berkhoff.
“There have been hacker promotions in which Russian television – although for a short time – show messages that are statements against Putin and against the war,” he adds. “But I had never seen hack promotions that put air traffic.”
Russia itself causes a lot of unrest for fear of attacks
An important turning point is the massive Ukrainian surprise attack Operation Spinneb, where KYIV caused billions of damage on Air Force Bases deep in Russia. In any case, Ukrainian drones are increasingly able to penetrate remarkably far from Russia.
But even more disruptive than those attacks themselves, is the Russian reaction to that, sees Russia connoisseur Gijs Kessler. “What you actually see is that after those large -scale Ukrainian attack of 1 June the Russian authorities have become increasingly wider for massive drone attacks,” he says. “As a result, they close the airspace much faster, which causes a lot of disruption.”
And according to him, that is not even the biggest problem for many Russians. “The internet – especially the mobile, but also the cable internet – is laid down in all kinds of places by the Russian authorities,” says Kessler. It may be because the authorities are anxious about new Ukrainian drone attacks, which would use the Russian internet.
The consequences are much greater than with the disruptions of air traffic, says Kessler. “Since 1 June, the internet has been continuously flat, often without warning or without reason.” Internet closures are also extremely drastic. “It affects all kinds of areas: payment traffic, navigation systems, home working options: you name it.”
Ukraine wants to sow and disrupt panic with drone attacks
Kessler sees that Ukrainian drone attacks are meant to sow panic, but thinks that the Russian fear causes more disruption. Berkhoff does not know whether Ukraine consciously sabotages the life of ordinary Russians, but certainly looks the use of it. “It’s not just about attracting attention. It also disrupts Russian society,” he says.
In addition, Kyiv may also want to send a signal to the West with sabotage actions. “They want to show: we have not been defeated for a long time.” Berkhoff sees that Ukraine has to fight against the idea that it is hopeless in the fight against Russia. “That is what the Ukraine is now partly about. They want to show that they have strength.”
The big question is how the Russians themselves respond to the disruption of daily life, and whether that has consequences for the Kremlin. Berkhoff emphasizes that Russian opinion is strongly influenced by propaganda, so that many Russians “are able to live as if there is no war,” he says.
Russia is hit in the hinterland
There is a good chance that the Ukrainian sabotage actions will work on the nerves of the Kremlin. “The authorities suffer any loss of face anyway. That is important for Putin and his confidants,” says Berkhoff. “They could always say: we are a large country so we can have a lot. There can be wars on the border, but the Russian hinterland is always safe.” There is no longer any question of that.
Kessler, who himself lived in Russia for years, also sees that distrust and dissatisfaction grows among Russians. “The conclusion of the internet causes an incredible amount of anger among the Russians, and especially towards their own government,” he says. “They think: those shoves just lay everything flat, it doesn’t interest them Sjaak!”
Russians are used to internet closures, but it goes one step further, Kessler sees. That feeds distrust. “What I see a lot is that Russians wonder: is this all about those drones at all? Or are they actually busy closing the internet?”
‘Many Russians are, of course, that war is already sick of it’
The chance that this dissatisfaction also translates into political unrest is very small, according to Berkhoff and Kessler. Putin still has “an incredible amount of control”, Berkhoff sees. Moreover, many Russians are cynical about their possibilities to change something, “adds Kessler.
“Many Russians are, of course, that war is already crazy. I think people have given up the hope that they have an influence on this for quite a long time. They just sing it out, as long as it takes.”
Russians are Increasingly Experiencing the Effects of the War, Partly Due to Ukrainian Acts of Sabotage. This is partly due to the kremlin, which in recent weeks has Become More Wary of Ukrainian Drone Attacks. Experts Explain Why Discontent is growing in Russia.
At Sheremetyevo Airport, Just Outside Moscow, Monday sees a Mass or Stranded People. Russia’s Largest Airport is 650 kilometers from the Front Line in Ukraine, But Lattely the War Has Been Felt here More and More Often. Ukrainian Drones Are Disrupting the Airspace, Preventing Planes from Taking Off.
Tens of Thousands of Russians have already experienced delays and cancellations at Airports This Summer, Write the Guardian and the Moscow Times . The Worst Disruptions were on July 6 and 7. As many as 485 flights had to be canceled then. Nineteen Hundred Flights Were Delayed, and Tens of Thousands of Refunds and Hotel Stays had compensated.
On Monday, a sabotage operation followed by pro-ukrainian hackers, who shut down the systems of airline aeroflot. Boxes of Flights Were Canceled.
It is Certainly not the first time that ukraine has tried to undermine the kremlin in its own country. But More and More Often ‘The Ordinary, Everyday Russian’ is Experiencing the Effects of This. “The Scale of This Type of Action Seems to Be Increasing,” Says Historian Karel Berkhoff.
“There Have Been Hacking Actions in which Messages Were Shown on Russian Television – Albeit Letterly – That Spoke Out Against Putin and Against the War,” He adds. “But I never had SEEN HACKING ACTIONS THAT SHUT Down Air Traffic Before.”
Russia itsself causes a lot of unrest out of fear of attacks
A Major Turning Point is the Massive Ukrainian Surprise Attack Operation Spiderweb, in which Kyiv Inflicted Billions of Dollars in Damage on Air Bases Deep Inside Russia. In any case, ukrainian drones are finding it increasingly easy to penetrate remarkable far into russia.
But even more disruptive than Those Attacks Themselves is The Russian Reaction to Them, Accordination to Russia Expert Gijs Kessler. “What you actual see is that after that large-scale ukrainian attack on June 1, The Russian Authorities Have Become Increasingly Wary of Massive Drone Attacks,” He says. “As a result, they close the airspace much faster, which causes a lot of disruption.”
And accordance to him, that is not even the biggest problem for many russians. “The Internet – Especally the Mobile, But also the Cable Internet – is Shut Down by the Russian Authorities in All Sorts of Places Every now and then,” Says Kessler. This may be because the authorities are afraid of new ukrainian drone attacks that would use the russian internet.
The Consequences are Much Greater Than With The Disruptions of Air Traffic, Says Kessler. “Since June 1, The Internet has bone continuously shut down, or without Warning or Without Reason.” Internet Shutdowns are also extremely drastic. “IT Affects All Kinds of Areas: Payment Traffic, Navigation Systems, Teleworking Options: You Name It.”
Ukraine Wants To Sow Panic And Disrupt with Drone Attacks
Kessler Sees That Ukrainian Drone Attacks are intended to Sow Panic, But Thinks that the Russian Fear of this Causes More Disruption. Berkhoff Does Not Know Whether Ukraine is Deliberately Sabotaging The Lives of Ordinary Russians, But Certainly Sees The Use Of It. “It’s not just about Attracting Attention. It also Disrupts Russian Society,” He says.
In Addition, Kyiv May also because to send a signal to the west with sabotage actions. “They want to show: We are far from defeated.” Berkhoff Sees That Ukraine Must Fight Against the Idea That It Has No Chance in the Fight Against Russia. “That is partly what ukraine is about now. They want to show that they have the strength to fight.”
The Big Question is how the Russians Themselves React to the Disruption of Daily Life, and WHETER that has consequences for the kremlin. Berkhoff Emphasizes That Russian Opinion is Strongly Influenced by Propaganda, which Means That Many Russians “are able to live as there is no war,” He says.
Russia is hit in The Hinterland
There is a good chance that the ukrainian sabotage actions are getting on the kremlin’s nerves. “The Authorities are Losing Face Anyway. That is important for Putin and his Confidants,” Says Berkhoff. “They could always say: We are a big country so we can take a lot. There may be wars on the border, but the russian hinterland is Always Safe.” That is no longer the case.
Kessler, who himself lived in Russia for many years, also sees drust and discontent growing among Russians. “The Shutdown of the Internet Causes An Incredible Amount of Anger Among The Russians, and Especiate Towards Their Own Government,” He says. “They think: Those Bastards Just Shut Everything Down, they don’t give a damn!”
Russians are used to internet shutdowns to some extent, but it is now going a step further, kessler sees. That fuels drust. “What I see a lot is that Russians wonder: is this really about Those drones? Or are they actual busy shutting down the internet even further?”
‘Many Russians are of course fed up with that war’
Accordance to Berkhoff and Kessler, the Chann this this discontent will also translate Into Political Unrest is very small. Putin Still Has “An Incredible Amount of Control,” Berkhoff sees. Moreover, many Russians are cynical about their opportunities to change something, “Kessler adds.
“Many Russians are of course fed up with that war. I think people have given up hope for queen some that they have any influence on this. They just endure it, as long as it lasts.”