The world on fire

While we wait for the reported spring offensive by Ukraine, Russia says we helped them try to kill Putin. Not a completely fantastic claim, considering US history. But I doubt very much we'd do that in this case.

Russia has accused the US of being behind what it says was a drone attack on the Kremlin intended to kill Vladimir Putin.

[...]

[Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry] Peskov, said Ukraine was merely implementing US plans “dictated” by Washington, but did not provide any evidence to support the allegations.

  Guardian

Not to mention evidence that it wasn't a desperate Russians' move.

Dramatic video footage on Wednesday showed two flying objects approaching the Kremlin and one hitting the rooftop of the Kremlin Senate, an 18th-century mansion within the grounds of the president’s official residence.

Putin was not in the building at the time of the attack, Peskov said on Wednesday.

And while I don't have a guess as to who might be responsible, I can't believe anyone under the US or official Ukraine orders would think such a move could kill Putin, or could do anything but ratchet up the situation.

Throughout the 14-month conflict, the Kremlin has repeatedly asserted, without providing evidence, that the west started the war in Ukraine. Russian officials have also blamed western nations for orchestrating attacks inside Russia.

The Russian ambassador to the UK previously claimed, without providing evidence, that British special forces were involved in a Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow’s Black Sea fleet last October.

[...]

The former Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev, said the overnight drone attack on the Kremlin left Moscow with no options but to “eliminate” Zelenskiy and his “clique” in Kyiv.

Making it suspicious at best.

However, there are early signs that the Kremlin is keen to project a sense of normality after the incident. Peskov said on Thursday that Putin would not give a special presidential address in connection with the attack and that the “usual, working” situation was in place. Peskov added that Putin was planning to work from the Kremlin on Thursday.

[...]

Margarita Simonyan, the influential head of RT, said the Kremlin’s somewhat muted response to the incident indicated the drone attack was not a false flag by the Kremlin with the aim to justify further escalation.

I wouldn't bet on it. But hey, maybe it was Ukraine. I find it very odd that they've announced a counteroffensive for spring. Why announce it?

Ukrainian officials have acknowledged that unlike last September’s sudden sweep through much of Kharkiv region, they may lack the element of surprise in any larger counter-offensive.

  CNN

Well, since you've announced it, I'd say that's a good possibility. At any rate, things are a hot mess over there. And we won't even talk about the situation in Sudan.

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.