The sentiment in Washington before the Moscow attack was that Russians needed to experience firsthand the impact of the war in Ukraine. This attitude intensified as US sanctions proved ineffective, Russian advancements in Ukraine quickened, and President Putin received a high level of support from the Russian population during recent elections.
Previous attempts to make Russians understand the war’s effects included drone strikes on major city centers, attacks on infrastructure, and efforts to destabilize Russia’s economy.
Has some solid info come out about the identities of the attackers? I’ve heard mixed reports, they got away, they were arrested, or they were killed, that could all be referring to different gunmen though.
Some have been arrested by Russian security. Don’t really know much else.