Russian missile attacks targeting Ukrainian cities, including Kiev

In a widespread missile strike launched by what appears to be Russian strategic bombers in the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea. It targeted the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, for the first time since June last year. Additionally, other major Ukrainian cities were hit, ranging from Lviv in the west to Mykolaiv on the coast in the south and Kharkiv in the northeast.

The series of attacks you mentioned coincide with the massive explosion that targeted the Kerch Bridge on October 8. This bridge is a vital link connecting the Crimean Peninsula to Russia. Putin accused "Ukrainian intelligence agencies" of being involved in the explosion. These attacks also come after several days of three Nord Stream pipeline maritime lines suffering "unprecedented" damages believed to be the result of deliberate sabotage.

The Russian response came concurrently with the appointment of Sergei Surovikin as the commander of Russian forces in Ukraine. Surovikin has a history of managing conflicts and interventions, starting from the conflict in Tajikistan, the Second Chechen War, and leading Russian forces in Syria in 2015.

Over the past months, Russian strikes have mainly targeted military objectives in Ukraine. However, what occurred on Monday, October 10, targeted vital infrastructure according to local authorities. This led to power outages and disrupted internet service in some cities.

The turning point lies in Russia's use of long-range missile strikes, some of which crossed the airspace of Moldova, targeting vital Ukrainian infrastructure. This indicates that there are no longer any red lines in the war, and the coming days may witness an expansion in the scope of the target bank, especially targeting decision-making centers in Kiev. Additionally, the attacks send messages to NATO countries that Russian weaponry can also penetrate their airspace, not just military assistance to Ukraine.