Need a change of course? – Attacks on Russia plunge Kremlin into ‘dilemma’

Within 10 days, they allegedly attacked “pro-Ukrainian partisans” in the border area of ​​Belgorod – on Friday, social media reports mounted that there were more attacks. Several unmanned flying objects hit the city 35 kilometers behind the border. Local authorities also had to evacuate the border town of Schebekino after Ukrainian shelling.

Should Russia withdraw troops?
However, what initially sounds like minor incidents could turn into a real problem for Moscow, the British Defense Ministry said on Friday. According to the daily update on the situation, Russian commanders now face the “acute dilemma” of whether to strengthen defenses in Russia’s border regions or expand their lines in occupied Ukraine.

While the Russian military could have contained the current attack much faster than the previous one, it said it would have to use the full range of military firepower on its own territory – including attack helicopters and heavy thermobaric rocket launcher.

Attacks from Ukraine would even be legal
In Russia it is clearly suspected that Ukraine was behind the attacks, but in Kiev this was firmly rejected until the end. In international law, such an attack would even be legal, as international law expert Ralph Janik explained via Twitter: The seriousness of the Russian attack could even lead Ukraine to occupy all of Russia. After all, the “entire territory of all parties involved” is a war zone governed by international humanitarian law, according to Janik.

It is a misunderstanding that defending states are only allowed to operate on their own territory: “They are allowed to act militarily anywhere on the attacker’s territory and kill his soldiers,” the expert explains.