Journalist Vitaly Portnikov shared his opinions on Espreso TV.“Putin’s strategy is completely obvious. He believes he can force Ukraine to capitulate by degrading the Ukrainian rear. This, by the way, is very simple logic. If the Russian army cannot capture significant Ukrainian territory over four years, you must force Ukrainians to capitulate. Just as Ukrainians would not expect Russians in Moscow or Saint Petersburg to want peace because of some drones, the Russian leader may believe that if he turns Ukraine into ruins, Ukrainians will beg him for capitulation from those ruins. Thus, degrading Ukraine’s rear and destroying its infrastructure will bring about the victory Russia desires and the annexation of Ukrainian regions. Strikes on kindergartens are part of this menu — parents should think: if they continue living in regions bordering Russia and do not want their children to die under guided bombs, then they should join Russia and live peacefully and happily. That is Putin’s whole strategy,” Portnikov explained.The journalist added that the idea of turning southern and eastern Ukraine into a springboard for seizing the whole country has always been part of Putin’s and his circle’s geopolitical plans.“Putin believes that this will force the civilian population to put an end to Ukraine’s existence. They also hope for protests, at least in those regions where pro-Russian and anti‑Ukrainian forces had significant positions — notably the south and east of Ukraine. The idea of turning the south and east into a springboard for conquering the whole of Ukraine has always been part of Putin’s geopolitical plans and those around him,” he concluded.