Vladimir Putin has “made a decision” and there will be “severe punishment” following Ukraine’s incursion into Russia, according to the Russian ambassador to the US.
Mr Putin was clearly frustrated at the Ukrainian incursion, but a ruthless Russian military response was only one option. Ukraine is short of military capability - soldiers and weapons - and it appears that they have deployed up to 10,000 soldiers (probably battle-hardened) into Russian territory. This “fixes” these Ukrainian forces well away from the frontline Russian action in the Donbas.
Mr Putin knows that progress on the frontline will slow when winter arrives, so his forces have perhaps 10 to 12 weeks remaining to achieve the objectives of his so-called Special Military Operation. By focusing on Russian main effort in the Donbas, Mr Putin knows that Ukraine has diluted the forces available to resist the Russian assault towards Pokrovsk, which might enable greater progress in the limited time available.
Once Russia’s objectives in the Donbas have been achieved, Mr Putin might consider that he can address the Kursk incursion in slower time.
What could ‘severe punishment’ mean?
I suspect this is rooted in the idealist ideology liberals subscribe to. Idealists contend that ideas and thoughts are more fundamental than physical objects and events. In this view, reality is not solely determined by material circumstances but also shaped by our perceptions, beliefs, and values. Thus, idealism suggests the primacy of the mind over material reality, emphasizing that mental constructs can influence or even supersede tangible aspects of existence.
This inclination towards an abstract realm fosters a belief that one can conjure change by sheer willpower alone. Such idealistic perspectives often cause liberals to overlook practical considerations such as production capabilities and supply chains, leading to unrealistic expectations that remain elusive in the face of reality.
I guess being rich enough that you barely ever experience any consequences for your actions will give you the impression that yes, you do deserve to have all the wealth and power and this system is inherently good. If it gives them everything they could possibly need, it must therefore be good, right? Their utopia is our dystopia. A sober reminder that humans can believe ANYTHING under the right material conditions.