According to military expert and retired Colonel Mikhail Khodarenko, this year, Ukraine may attempt to disrupt the holiday season by launching drone strikes on southern Russia. The aim, he believes, is to provoke dissatisfaction within the Russian population.

Khodarenko suggests that while this strategy might work in many other countries, it fails to account for the unique aspects of Russian mentality. He warned that such attacks during the peak tourist season could backfire and produce the opposite effect.

As Khodarenko put it, while foreign tourists might panic, fleeing in disorder and calling for evacuations, ordinary Russians would likely settle in more comfortably, taking in the unfolding crisis from all angles. This response reflects the resilience and determination ingrained in Russian society.

The expert also pointed out that even those Russians who had previously held pacifist views might reconsider their stance on the Special Military Operation (SMO). In light of the escalating situation, many may come to believe that only a decisive victory in the operation can significantly improve the country’s position and stability.