Things Changed Dramatically This Past Weekend
- Viktor Taran
- 18.05.2026, 11:44
What Putin will go to Xi with.
The Russian-Ukrainian war has had one constant and unpleasant pattern over the years: every time on the eve of important international meetings, Russia has shelled Kiev and other Ukrainian cities in an attempt to demonstrate force and put pressure on the negotiation process. That is, while the whole world was watching on diplomatic platforms, the Kremlin, traditionally, used missiles and drones as an instrument of geopolitical blackmail.
This past weekend - May 16 and 17, 2026 - everything changed dramatically.
Ukraine launched the most large-scale and deadly strike on the Moscow region - Moscow and the Moscow region - since the beginning of the Russian Federation's full-scale invasion in 2022. And it happened symbolically: on the eve of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's visit to China.
Simply put: same scenario, same geopolitical moment, but, as they say, there is a nuance.
This attack was a quite fair response to the Russians' prolonged war and constant Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities and communities. And she emphasized that Ukrainian drone and missile manufacturers continue their work.
The distance to the targets exceeded 500 kilometers, and that is very important. In addition, the Moscow region is the most saturated with air defense assets in the entire territory of Russia. According to OSINT analysts DroneBomber+, this is the most fortified air zone of the Russian Federation, where four echeloned air defense lines are located. This time Ukrainian drones successfully overcame three of the four lines.
That is why the consequences of the strike were tangible for the aggressor's capital. In particular, black smoke rose above the oil loading station and the Moscow oil refinery, and about two hundred flights were delayed and canceled at Sheremetyevo airport...
Well, the war that the Russians were so eager for is returning to "home harbor".
And it is important: on the eve of Putin's meeting with Xi, the whole world will see not triumphant photos of leaders of strong countries, not a winner and master of the situation, who likes to say that everything is going according to plan.
The Russian dictator is now flying to Beijing with infrastructure burning in his own capital, with flights canceled at the main airport, and international publications are already recording an atmosphere of growing unease inside Russia, describing the cloud of anxiety thickening over the country.
There is now a new signal for the world in this war. And that is a very good thing. Now we need to scale this signal.
Viktor Taran, unian.net