What 'Putin's strikes' tell us about Russia’s war in Ukraine

The Kremlin's media strategy promotes attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure as "Putin's strikes," aiming to enhance the Russian president's image and downplay Ukrainian successes. Despite limited adoption of the term, it reflects a shift in focus as Russia struggles on the battlefield. Analysts suggest this narrative seeks to bolster public support for the war by associating Putin personally with military actions. The strategy also aims to minimize the impact of Ukrainian attacks on Russian morale, portraying them as ineffective. Overall, the Kremlin's messaging attempts to unify support around Putin while managing perceptions of the war's progress.