Zelensky’s drones are an attempt to embarrass Putin

Sam Kiley on attacks on Russia in the run-up to Victory Day

- 

Drone attacks that shut down Moscow’s airports, renewed assaults on Russian territory, and new claims to have “stalled” Russia’s costly eastern offensive all add up to red faces in the Kremlin, as it prepares to celebrate 80 years since the Nazis were vanquished.

Vladimir Putin has claimed, among other things, that his fullscale invasion of Ukraine was to topple the “Nazi regime” (headed by a Jew) ruling Kyiv. None of the world leaders planning to attend Russia’s parades this week believe that nonsense.

They will note, however, that Ukraine is showing the resilience of a democracy backed by other democracies. And that, perhaps, Volodymyr Zelensky is feeling his country is more secure now that he has locked in American interests in Ukraine’s minerals – and a new uplift in US-made air defences.