The rocket attack on an apartment block, leisure center and shopping center has dominated the news picture from Ukraine in recent days.
– What we see now is the same pattern we saw after Ukraine sank the cruiser «Moscow». They carry out revenge actions so that the victory does not taste too good for Ukraine, says Tom Røseth who is the head teacher of intelligence and head of the Ukraine program at the Norwegian Defense College.
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The Russians have on several occasions responded with rocket attacks just after they have suffered military defeats. After they had to withdraw from Slangeøya, there were several attacks on Ukraine.
– They want to mark strength and send a message to Ukraine and the international community that they can do as they please, says Røseth.
In retrospect, they deny having hit civilians, or intended to hit civilian targets.
– World War III has started
Russian propaganda
He believes this is a strategy that works as good propaganda in the home country, and aims to create doubts that the war can be won in the Ukrainian population.
– The purpose of the rocket attacks is to create fear and terror against the civilian population in Ukraine. They are trying to convince the Ukrainians that they are facing a military superiority they cannot defeat. It is a strategy that rarely works, says Tom Røseth.
EXPERT: Associate professor and head teacher in intelligence at the Norwegian Defense College, Tom Røseth. Photo: The Armed Forces
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In previous conflicts, it has been seen that similar strategies can have the exact opposite effect where such attacks have had a unifying effect on the population.
Zelensky: Deliberate Russian terror
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj also criticizes the Russian attack on a block of flats and a leisure center in the port city of Serhiivka in the Odesa region.
– I emphasize: This was an attack that took place with intent, deliberate Russian terror, and not as a result of a mistake or a random rocket attack, Zelenskyj says.
At least 21 people were killed and about 40 injured, according to Ukrainian authorities.
