Emily Harding, former CIA operative: if we find a way to make the Russian population at home understand the costs of this conflict to them in their hometowns.
Emily Harding, former CIA operative: if we find a way to make the Russian population at home understand the costs of this conflict to them in their hometowns.
The CSIS International Security Program discussed the state of the war in Ukraine on the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion with the Honorable Michael Vickers.
The sentiment in Washington before the Moscow attack was that Russians needed to experience firsthand the impact of the war in Ukraine. This attitude intensified as US sanctions proved ineffective, Russian advancements in Ukraine quickened, and President Putin received a high level of support from the Russian population during recent elections.
Previous attempts to make Russians understand the war's effects included drone strikes on major city centers, attacks on infrastructure, and efforts to destabilize Russia's economy.