The Russia–Ukraine war has entered a far more dangerous phase, and according to Ukrainian security expert Dr Hanna Shelest, the recent escalation is no accident. In an interview, she explained that Russia’s intensified strikes — including deadly missile attacks on Kyiv and the bombing of a crowded shopping mall — reveal a deliberate strategy aimed at spreading fear and testing NATO’s limits.
Shelest noted that Russia has increasingly targeted civilian and critical infrastructure, especially energy facilities, in an attempt to pressure Ukraine during a period when Moscow has failed to gain meaningful ground on the battlefield. “They couldn’t gain a single thing in the last month,” she said, adding that Russia is feeling the strain of its own energy collapse, prompting harsher tactics.
The attacks have been devastating. A missile strike in Kyiv killed 17 people, and the next day an open-air mall was hit, leaving more than 150 wounded and 15 dead, including children. Shelest stressed that such locations have no military value, underscoring Russia’s intent to break civilian morale.
Beyond Ukraine, she warned that Russia’s behaviour — including airspace violations near Eastern European NATO states — suggests Moscow is probing how far it can push without triggering a larger confrontation. Analysts believe this “testing” is part of Putin’s broader effort to redraw red lines and gauge Western resolve.
The war, now more than two and a half years old, shows no sign of a peaceful resolution. Shelest said Ukraine continues to rely heavily on Western air‑defence systems, especially the Patriot, but the conflict’s trajectory will depend on whether Europe and NATO respond firmly to Russia’s provocations.