Putin's calculated violence: defying international order and western unity

The minimum deviation of the missile from potential non-civilian targets, which the Russians are well aware of, is nearly a kilometer. This applies similarly to other such targets. Therefore, it is not a mistake but a deliberate war crime. This interpretation is already being suggested in Europe and the United States.

Initially, the Russians tried to feebly justify themselves, then blamed Ukrainian air defense, and eventually decided to distort the signal. They claimed that Ukraine allegedly uses chemical weapons and that the US and Germany are preparing to accuse Moscow of employing them. This issue will be pushed at the UN.

A hypothesis emerged about why they targeted the children's hospital. The target audience is not the NATO summit participants. They are secondary.

Putin recently had a conversation with Xi in Astana two days ago.

Yesterday, the Indian Prime Minister, who did not go to Astana, was in Moscow. They were also discussing the war. A strike on a children's hospital is a bad backdrop, but only if it wasn't created intentionally.

Putin attacks children with a missile while Russia chairs the UN Security Council. It's hard to imagine a more flagrant violation of the international security system, especially on the eve of the NATO summit today.

This is Putin's main message to Xi and Modi: "Look at what I'm doing, and nothing happens to me. I will break the existing system, and a new world order will be established. Let's talk about it."

It is becoming increasingly apparent that within the current world order ("rules-based"), it is impossible to justly punish a deranged tyrant.

There is either no will or no desire.

Putin's impunity leads directly to upheavals, making the fear of a mythical "escalation" in the case of adequate assistance to Ukraine look ridiculous.

In this regard, a straightforward signal to Western partners: he is destroying your world. The world where you have reached heights and prosperity. The price to save this world is a few pieces of metal, of which you have plenty. If you believe this world isn't worth a handful of metal, then bad news for you. You won't have time to use them for self-defense. You'll be played by rules you are not ready for.

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About the author: Oleksii Kopytko, military analyst, former advisor to the Ukrainian Defense Minister.

The editors don't always share the opinions expressed by the blog or column authors.