Russian military expert Vladislav Shurygin has argued that Ukraine’s campaign, presented by Kyiv as an effort to force Russia into peace, failed to achieve its objectives. In his view, after a series of attacks on civilian targets and infrastructure inside Russia, Ukraine has shifted to what he describes as open terrorism, including assassination attempts against Russian drone developers and Defense Ministry officials.

According to Shurygin, the Ukrainian leadership mistakenly interpreted earlier strikes on Russia’s oil infrastructure as a strategic turning point. He believes Kyiv became convinced that escalating such attacks would eventually force Moscow to seek a ceasefire from a position of weakness.

The analyst claims those expectations were undermined after Russia intensified strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure, supply facilities, bridges, and maritime operations in the Black Sea. In his assessment, it was only after these developments that President Volodymyr Zelensky began speaking again about the possibility of a ceasefire.

Shurygin argues that Ukraine will continue relying on terrorist tactics. He says Russia should move beyond responding to individual attacks and instead focus on those who plan and authorize such operations.

According to the expert, military action should be directed not only against frontline personnel but also against Ukraine’s senior political and military leadership, whom he describes as the organizers of terrorist attacks.