First ‘Nazis’, now ‘terrorists’: Putin’s latest campaign stems from desperation

‘Vladimir Putin’s claims that the war was necessary to defend Russia’s security was recognised across the world as a lie.’ Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

The Russian missile strikes on Kyiv and other cities in Ukraine over the past two days have opened a further deplorable chapter in Russia’s aggression against the country. Yet we need to resist seeing it as a shocking new moment in Russia’s assault.

Each additional death brings new personal tragedy and heartbreak. But, in many respects, the wrecking of civilian lives and infrastructure is not new. It’s what millions of Ukrainians have been bravely living with for months. These strikes – and those that may well follow – are more of the same: entirely in line with the vindictiveness and indifference to civilian suffering with which Ukrainians have become familiar over eight years under Russian attack.