Norwegian commentator: strikes on Wildberries could rally Russians around Putin

Ukraine’s strategy of intensifying air strikes on Russian territory could consolidate Russian society around Vladimir Putin and escalate the war, rather than push Moscow toward ending it.

That is the assessment of Morten Strand, a commentator for the Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet.

In Strand’s view, Ukraine’s strikes on major warehouses of the Russian marketplace Wildberries could have the opposite of the intended effect. The attacks affect the everyday lifestyle of the segment of Russian society most connected to the internet and modern consumer culture.

Kyiv’s calculation, according to the author, is to “bring the war home” to ordinary Russians and show them its consequences. However, Strand questions who citizens will ultimately blame — the Russian authorities who started the war, or Ukraine, whose drones are destroying their orders and familiar infrastructure.

Based on the online reaction analyzed by the commentator, there is almost no sign of accusations directed at the Kremlin. On the contrary, many are blaming Wildberries itself.

Strand draws a parallel with the recent US war against Iran. In his assessment, American strikes that were intended in part to push Iranians to rise up against the regime had the opposite effect and rallied part of society around the authorities.

“This gives the Ukrainian leadership pause when choosing a war strategy,” Strand writes.

In the commentator’s view, strikes on symbols of “modern” life may hit the Russian middle class hardest — the segment of society that is potentially the most critical of Putin. That is precisely why attacks on Russian territory that are popular within Ukraine could produce a mobilization effect in favor of Russian authorities.

Previously, Sunday Times commentator Mark Galeotti also wrote that strikes by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Russian territory could play into Putin’s hands.