The latest mass attack on Kyiv, which used Iran’s Shahed drones, Kalibr and Kinjal supersonic missiles, was nothing short of the ultimate humiliation for Putin, writes Colonel Richard Kemp, a former infantry commander, for The Telegraph.

I saw how the Ukrainian air force, equipped with American Patriot and German Cheetah systems, seemed to be able to repel every Russian missile in the sky. In the afternoon, the city returned to normal, as if nothing had happened.

This event symbolizes Ukrainian determination and Russian weakness. Especially the last one.

Putin’s Plan B failed

After Putin had to back down after the surprise failure of his invasion last February, he hastily came up with a plan B. That meant investing in a Wunderwaffe (“wonder weapon”), just as Hitler did in the second half of World War II. , building up their strength for a new offensive scheduled for spring this year.

This much-vaunted attack, however, failed to materialize as the Russian army had so far only been able to advance a few kilometers or two in the region – and at the cost of heavy casualties.

A Ukrainian commander, fresh from fighting in Bakhmut, said Ukraine must erect a monument to the corruption of the Russian military, which he attributes to its inability to build sufficient forces or learn from its repeated tactical and strategic mistakes.

The failure of Putin’s second plan – the one involving wonder weapons – could be even more disastrous. When he first mentioned the Kinjal in 2018, he stated that these missiles could penetrate all current and future missile defense systems.

Even before the invasion, he claimed that Russia was the world leader in supersonic missiles and that while other countries were trying to catch up, Russia would develop even more advanced technology to repel such new weapons.

After all six Kinjal missiles were fired at Kyiv, the harsh reality called into question Russia’s military capabilities, including its nuclear arsenal, the most decisive factor in bolstering Western support for Ukraine.

American and European fears that donating these much-needed weapons could lead to a worsening of the situation are unwarranted, given the fact that Russia’s incompetence is becoming increasingly apparent.

Britain’s recent delivery of long-range Storm Shadow missiles and Britain and France’s decision this week to train Ukrainian pilots and work with other countries to deliver F-16s are the latest signals of a determination to continue providing aid.

“But it would be crazy to take all this as a sign that Ukraine’s victory is assured. Kyiv is still fighting for survival, and there are no signs that Russia will give up. It is far from clear that the Ukrainian military will have sufficient resources to launch the decisive counteroffensive that is said to be imminent,” writes Colonel Richard Kemp.

Commanders on the ground point to an increased need for tanks, fighter jets, ammunition, missiles, artillery shells and drones. After more than a year of war, the morale of Ukrainian forces remains high. There is no doubt about their courage and professionalism. But in the end, they cannot win unless the West rushes to provide military aid.

It is possible that the latest disaster caused by Putin in Kyiv will support this desire. (joyful)

• Follow the latest events of the 450th day of the war in Ukraine LIVETEXT on HOTNEWS.RO.