Russia started 2024 with aerial barrages against Ukraine as the war between the two countries continued.
The Kremlin's missile attacks made huge headlines, especially after reports confirmed that the Russian military launched its largest bombardment since the Russia-Ukraine war began in 2022.
Many global leaders are focused on the damages caused by Russia's missile attacks in Ukraine. Deaths of civilians and injuries are also usually the ones on the daily news.
However, experts warned that Russia's worsening aerial barrages could have other motives aside from killing targets and destroying structures. They claim that the Kremlin could be using missile attacks as bait to target Ukraine's Patriot rockets.
Russia's Aerial Barrages Could Just Be Bait
Numerous experts warned that Russia could be launching aerial barrages for other reasons aside from killing Ukrainian targets and causing destruction.
They said that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his soldiers could be baiting Kyiv into using all their Patriot air defense systems. Once Ukraine runs out of Patriot missiles, experts warned that it will no longer be able to protect or deal damage to Russia.
One of the experts who believe in this possible plan of Russia is Dr. Jade McGlynn, a Russian politics researcher. McGlynn is also a senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
She claimed that depleting Ukraine's Patriot air-defense missiles is clearly a part of Russia's strategy in the ongoing invasion.
"The Patriots are certainly the focus of Russian propaganda coverage domestically," said Dr. McGlynn via Business Insider.
What Ukraine Can Do
Patriot missiles are critical for Ukraine to fend off invading Russian forces. These missiles can track 100 targets from 60 miles away.
They have been credited for taking down numerous Russian missiles, such as a model that Kremlin claims to be unstoppable. Aside from missiles, Patriot rockets can also take down Russian aircraft.
If Ukraine wants to prevent Russia from completing its invasion, then it needs to ensure that its Patriot missiles will not run out. The U.S. and other countries are helping Kyiv do so.
BBC recently reported that Japan confirmed sending Patriot air defense missiles to the U.S., which could allow the White House to send its own stockpile to Ukraine.
