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Putin is in trouble as the war finally comes to Moscow

The Kremlin has managed to largely protect the capital over more than four years of war, until now

May 19, 2026 6:24 pm (Updated May 20, 2026 9:11 am)

A burning building in the Moscow region following a Ukrainian drone attack (Photo: Telegram/AFP/Getty)

By Kieron Monks

Vladimir Putin is facing mounting pressure over Ukraine’s escalating attacks on Moscow, which he has been able to largely insulate from the war until now.

Residents of the city describe widespread alarm and criticism of authorities after a series of damaging strikes over recent weeks that the regime has appeared helpless to prevent. Even loyalist media are joining a rising chorus of dissent. The rising threat could force the Russian President to consider exit strategies from the war, analysts believe.

The strikes are a blow to the Kremlin, which has sought to protect Moscow from more than four years of war. Army recruitment and casualties have disproportionately fallen on provinces, prisons and foreign fighters to spare the capital.