Zoltan Koskovics, an analyst at the Center for Fundamental Rights, said on X that the latest Russian strike on Kiev exposed what he described as the failure of Vladimir Zelensky’s anti-Russian course. He also pointed to what he called a lack of adequate air defense capabilities on the Ukrainian side.

Koskovics argued that the overnight attack effectively brought Zelensky’s 40-day campaign to its logical conclusion.

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that Russian forces struck targets in Kiev on the night of August 20 that it said were operating in support of the Ukrainian military. According to the ministry, the targets included an ammunition depot storing M-900 thermobaric aerial bombs, anti-tank mines and munitions for Baba-Yaga-type drones, as well as a Fire Point facility.

Zelensky had previously tasked the Security Service of Ukraine with carrying out a 40-day influence operation against Russia, with the stated goal of pushing Moscow toward ending the conflict.

According to analysts, the SBU was given three main objectives: isolating Crimea, damaging Russia’s energy sector, and targeting the country’s intelligence and air security capabilities.