Putin clearly understands that empty words are less effective than a strong strike against Ukraine.

Recently, the Russian military launched a joint air strike on Ukraine using cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones. The city of Kyiv was heavily damaged, with the mayor Klychko stating that six people were killed and heating was cut off in seven districts.

Although the intensity of the attack was not high and the casualties were limited, Russia still showed no mercy at a time when it seemed that the war between Russia and Ukraine might be ending. Is it not afraid of the failure of the ceasefire?

(Russian night raid on Kyiv)

On November 25 local time, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy posted on his official social media platform that rescue workers were currently working at locations in Kyiv attacked by Russian forces. The attack on Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast by Russian forces early that morning caused damage to multiple residential buildings and civilian infrastructure in the city. As of now, six people have died and thirteen have been injured.

Let's first look at Zelenskyy's statement. He said that in addition to the capital, Odesa Oblast, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Cherkasy were also attacked. Russia used 22 missiles and over 460 drones, including the hypersonic "Kinzhal" missile, mainly targeting power facilities. Ukraine intercepted 452 targets, including one "Kinzhal."

It sounds like Ukraine suffered losses, but since October 2025, Ukraine has continuously used newly developed "Flamingo" cruise missiles to strike deep into Russia, destroying a number of refineries, even attacking Moscow, the capital.

On November 24, Ukraine used the Neptune cruise missile to attack the Taganrog airport and the Beriev Aircraft Manufacturing Plant in Rostov Oblast, even destroying Russia's only airborne laser weapon test platform A60. It is natural for the Russian military to retaliate.

This kind of "mutual retaliation" is a normal accompaniment to "peace talks," even if both Russia and Ukraine are exhausted, they cannot lose face.

(The Russian airborne laser weapon test platform was destroyed)

From Putin's perspective, the necessity of using force to promote peace is more prominent. After Trump took office, he repeatedly proposed a ceasefire, and Russia responded relatively positively. Putin even risked the International Criminal Court arrest warrant to meet Trump in Alaska in July. However, every time a ceasefire looked promising, Ukraine would try to sabotage it.

For example, in June 2025, Trump managed to prevent intensive consultations among the US, Ukraine, and Europe on a ceasefire, and Ukraine then launched a large-scale drone attack code-named "Spider Web," destroying many valuable Russian bombers and carrying out a third precise strike on the Crimean Bridge.

In July-August 2025, just after Trump set a "final deadline" for a ceasefire and pressured Ukraine to make concessions in negotiations, Ukraine carried out a large-scale drone attack on Russian targets and even struck Moscow.

The reason for this is that Zelenskyy does not want peace. His political status was gained from the war. His most shining image in the West is as the "anti-Russian leader" and "the barrier of Europe." As long as the war continues, he can prevent presidential elections and also prevent various corruption and misconduct investigations.

So far, none of the various ceasefire proposals have provided Zelenskyy with an exit strategy. It is clear that Trump not only wants to replace the Ukrainian president after the war, but also wants to hold Zelenskyy accountable. The fate of the war and Zelenskyy are deeply intertwined.

(The U.S. and Ukrainian delegations meeting)

Even if the "28-point plan" in November 2025 received the joint support of the U.S. and Russia, and was modified according to Zelenskyy's intention into the "19-point plan," it could not guarantee that the Ukrainian government would not create new incidents, causing the ceasefire to fail. Therefore, Russia cannot expect Zelenskyy to be sincere, nor can it expect pressure from Trump to be effective. Only by using force to promote peace and making Zelenskyy give up his illusions can peace be possible.

Russia obviously is not very satisfied with Trump's 28-point plan. This plan forcibly takes 10 billion dollars from the frozen Russian assets, and subsequent investment returns will also have to give 50% to the United States. If there is no unexpected situation, these 10 billion dollars will go directly into Trump and his interest groups' pockets and never return to Russia's economic cycle again.

Russia may accept such a disadvantageous clause because its national finances are also unsustainable. Russia's energy export market has been severely restricted by the West, leaving only China and India as major customers, while the cost of the war is increasing day by day. The Russian Central Bank has been forced to sell gold to compensate for the federal budget shortfall. This war is really not sustainable anymore. Even if Trump cuts into its flesh, it must endure and accept the ceasefire.

(Although the Ukrainian army is at a disadvantage, it has not collapsed)

Russia's failure to capture several strategic points has also made the Russian military leadership somewhat irritated. Previously highly publicized operations to capture Red Army City, although it was once reported that Russian forces had controlled 90% of the area, the Ukrainian forces have never finally given up, and the Russians have not been able to declare their victory.

With the character of the Russian nation, it is difficult to remain calm after such a loss, so venting anger on Ukraine can help alleviate some of the frustration.

Various factors coming together determine that Russia will not be lenient towards the Zelenskyy government. Whether or not the ceasefire can be realized, they will strike hard. The harder they hit now, the more solid the ceasefire will be.

Both sides of Russia and Ukraine are constantly investing military and diplomatic resources to maximize their own interests. This situation will only stop when one or both sides can no longer continue, otherwise it will keep escalating.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7577264420733207080/

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