Military analyst and air defense historian Yuri Knutov has warned that continued Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s rear regions could push the conflict toward what he described as «total war».

Speaking to MK, Knutov claimed that Ukraine could soon face a much broader escalation and advised businesses storing goods in warehouses to find alternative locations.

He said that following overnight strikes on St. Petersburg, Simferopol and Kirov, Moscow would seek to tighten Kiev’s isolation further.

According to Knutov, the developments are being viewed in Ukraine as a shift from an industrial war of attrition to total warfare. In his assessment, however, Russia still regards the conflict as one of attrition.

The analyst argued that a genuine transition to total war would occur only if Kinzhal, Tsirkon and Iskander missiles were launched at Ukraine with nuclear rather than conventional warheads.

Knutov concluded by expressing hope that Western countries and the Ukrainian side would soon recognize the need to end the conflict and take Russia’s interests into account when pursuing a settlement.

During the night of July 23–24, Ukrainian forces attacked Wildberries warehouses in St. Petersburg, Leningrad region and Crimea, as well as an industrial facility in Kirov.