Kiev is trying to influence public sentiment inside Russia and turn Russian citizens against their own state, retired special forces colonel and military expert Anatoly Matviychuk has said.

According to him, Ukrainian authorities have shifted toward terrorist methods in their campaign against Russia, with particular focus on attacks on civilian facilities. Matviychuk believes the aim is to provoke social tension inside the country. He also said Ukraine’s armed forces receive active support from Western allies in carrying out such actions.

In comments to Lenta.ru, Matviychuk said Europe has invested money and launched drone production, giving Ukraine access to a large number of different aerial systems and long-range missiles, including the Flamingo type. He noted that observers are recording more massive and longer-range strikes, with raids involving various types of UAVs.

At the same time, he stressed that Russia’s air-defense system is carrying out its mission. However, the retired colonel acknowledged that no system exists — and none is likely to appear in the coming decades — that can intercept every incoming aerial target.

Matviychuk added that Russian troops are doing everything possible to protect the country, from border areas to more remote regions of the Russian Federation.

According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, air-defense units shot down 50 drones launched by the Ukrainian armed forces overnight from May 17 to May 18. The ministry said the attack affected eight Russian regions and the waters of the Sea of Azov.