Drone strikes on Moscow test public support for Putin

Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow have brought the war closer to Russian civilians and raised questions about whether growing anxiety could affect support for President Vladimir Putin. The strikes, described as the largest on the Russian capital since the fullscale invasion began in 2022, disrupted flights and damaged a refinery on the city’s outskirts. Analysts say the images and the damage may deepen unease among residents and parts of the business and political elite, even as state media has played down the attacks. Experts quoted in the report said the impact on Putin’s grip on power remains uncertain. Some argued that declining approval could matter if it spreads among influential groups, while others warned that dissatisfaction with the president does not necessarily mean opposition to the war itself. They also said Putin could respond to domestic pressure with more repression or further escalation in Ukraine.