Amidst the ongoing war and regular attacks on Ukrainian cities, the question of effectively countering Russian shelling is becoming increasingly acute. Andriy Kovalenko, Head of the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) under the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), voiced his position on the matter, stating that the only way to limit the enemy's actions is through intensifying our own strikes on Russian territory.
The Logic of Escalation as a Defense Tool
According to a report by RBC-Ukraine, Kovalenko called on society to recognize the simple but harsh logic of the situation. In his view, the stability and intensity of Ukrainian counterstrikes are the only factors capable of curbing aggression. The expert pointed out the criticism often directed at such actions: the argument that Russia continues to strike cities and businesses despite Kyiv's retaliatory measures.
Kovalenko suggested asking ourselves honest questions: "Didn't they shell us before? Didn't they start all of this?" He emphasized that without an active response, Ukraine would have faced a "one-sided" situation that would have lasted indefinitely. According to the head of the CCD, Russia would not have stopped voluntarily if it had not met resistance.
The Example of the Grain Corridor
As proof of the effectiveness of such a strategy, Kovalenko cited the example of the creation of the grain corridor. He reminded that this possibility became a reality solely thanks to Ukraine's military successes. This confirms the thesis that diplomatic and humanitarian achievements are often a direct consequence of military pressure and victories.
"Our successful actions are the only chance to stop Russian terror," Kovalenko summarized. He warned that results do not always manifest instantly and urged not to criticize the actions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine without understanding the strategic importance of these steps.
Consequences of the Night Attack on Kyiv
The relevance of Kovalenko's words is confirmed by the events of recent nights. On the night of August 5, the Russian army launched a large-scale combined strike on Ukraine, using 28 missiles and 115 attack drones. Despite the work of the air defense forces, it was not possible to intercept the ballistic missiles.
The main blow fell on the Kyiv region. In the capital, the consequences of the attack were recorded in the Holosiivskyi, Obolonskyi, Desnyanskyi, and Sviatoshynskyi districts. As a result of the shelling, civilian infrastructure and residential buildings were damaged, and fires broke out in warehouses. A particular concern was the ammonia leak in the Holosiivskyi district, which was quickly eliminated.
Also in the zone of impact were facilities of major companies, including "Epicentr", ROZETKA, and "Nova Poshta". These destructions vividly demonstrate that the threat remains, and the need for retaliatory measures, as Andriy Kovalenko says, remains extremely high.
