The drone attack on Moscow imperils Putin like never before

If the war spreads, so the possible scenarios for its fallout in Russia need to be urgently broached, writes Mary Dejevsky

Suddenly, it seems, the war is touching the heart of Russian power (Sputnik)

A review of the months since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would turn up a succession of events that, depending on the outcome, could one day be seen as turning points. From the retreat of the huge Russian armoured convoy threatening Kyiv, to the ending of early ceasefire talks, to Russia’s capture of Mariupol (and so the land route to Crimea), and more recently its victory at Bakhmut – possibly opening Russia’s way to seize more of the Donbas.

To these potential landmarks must now be added the 30 May drone attacks on the Moscow suburbs, which appeared to target, among other places, the elite suburb of Rublyovka, home to the hidden mansions of the capital’s rich and powerful. The president’s official residence is not quite in the same area, but it is not far away.

Kyiv denied responsibility for the Rublyovka attack, as it had done with the drone attack on the Kremlin earlier in the month, and with the growing number of small-scale attacks in regions of Russia closer to the border. This time, though, the denial was more muted.