Russia’s missile assault on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities on Monday is a reminder that the Kremlin retains a considerable capacity to wreak havoc. The best response is to provide Ukraine with more weapons, including better air defenses.
The attacks follow the Russian pattern going back to the beginning of the invasion. Ukraine registers an apparent military success, as it (or someone) did in striking the Kerch bridge between Russia and Crimea. Russia responds with an attack on civilian targets or infrastructure that is important for civilians such as water or electricity plants.
Mr. Putin blamed Ukraine for the Kerch bridge attack, which blew up the main lifeline to supply Crimea, which Russia invaded and annexed from Ukraine in 2014. He called the bridge attack a “terrorist” act, which is what his entire Ukraine campaign has been.
Ukrainian officials said Russia fired 84 missiles and that 43 were intercepted. Most landed in cities across Ukraine as far west as Lviv that are far from the active battlefield, some hitting rush-hour commuters. Russia claims it is firing precision-guided munitions at military targets, but its missiles must not be very precise.
More likely, the Russian targeting is indiscriminate and intended to spread terror across the civilian population and break the country’s will to resist. Previous attacks have had the opposite effect, and Monday’s will probably have the same.
The attacks also seem to have rallied Ukraine’s Western supporters. President Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and pledged to “continue providing Ukraine with the support needed to defend itself, including advanced air defense systems.” That air defense point is crucial since Russia retains a considerable advantage in missiles.
Monday’s casualties reflect the delay in getting air defenses to the country. The U.S. agreed in July to supply the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, or Nasams, but that won’t reach Ukraine for several months. The U.S. has been reluctant to supply Patriot missile batteries for reasons that seem related to risks of escalation with a NATO weapons system, but that line has already been crossed. Mr. Putin won’t end his war until it becomes clear the cost of continuing it is too high.
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