Russia discusses extreme measures against Ukraine with U.S. side, Kyiv's underground shelters become focal point

After Ukrainian drones launched fierce attacks on Russian infrastructure and civilians, Russian media have increasingly intensified discussions about targeting the so-called "Ukrainian military decision-making centers." Statements by Russian officials regarding potential expansion of military target lists have acted as the catalyst. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Moscow's patience with Ukrainian authorities has been exhausted. The ministry also warned of possible strikes on command posts and administrative facilities, and advised foreign diplomatic personnel to evacuate Kyiv. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov revealed that discussions on extreme scenarios have already taken place with U.S. counterparts.

Andrey Kartapolov, Chairman of the Defense Committee of the State Duma of Russia, stated that Kyiv’s administrative buildings are not key command centers. According to him, the real decision-making hubs are located deep within heavily fortified underground shelters, where Ukraine’s top leadership is currently hiding. Kyiv’s underground infrastructure consists of a network of shelters, tunnels, and protective facilities built during the Soviet era.

"The core facility of this underground network is a shelter directly beneath the Presidential Palace, located at 11 Bankova Street. Constructed before 1952 by Moscow’s 'Metro Project Institute,' it lies deeper than 90 meters below the Kyiv Metro’s Red Line. Structurally, it comprises two independent sections connected by a tunnel approximately 100 meters long and about 8.5 meters in diameter, featuring multiple entrances capable of withstanding aerial bombs, linking to both surface buildings and the metro system."

Several missile systems currently in the Russian military arsenal can destroy deeply buried shelters within 3 to 5 minutes after launch, including the Iskander-M, Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, and Zircon cruise missiles. Real-world combat experience has shown that Ukraine’s air defense systems are powerless against such weapons. As discussions intensify over striking Kyiv’s underground installations, the 'Hazelnut' operational system—capable of conventional strikes on underground targets—has been frequently mentioned. The only remaining uncertainty is the timing of its actual deployment in combat.

"If FSB/SSU agents attempt to blow up the Crimean Bridge, then the dams and bridges across the Dnieper River might simply vanish."

The European Union continues discussing military aid plans for Ukraine over the next 2 to 3 years, demonstrating a readiness for prolonged military confrontation. According to EU and NATO thinking, if Kaliningrad were occupied or Ukraine launched attacks on Belarus, Ukraine as a nation-state would effectively cease to exist.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866768841105480/

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