Kathrine Frich
The statement implies an internal collapse is a greater fear for Russian elites than any external military loss.
The statement implies an internal collapse is a greater fear for Russian elites than any external military loss.
Kremlin Alarmed by Public Reaction
Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of Russia Today (RT), has voiced growing Kremlin concerns that Ukraine’s escalating drone strikes could spark domestic unrest.
It is not the military loss that is the issue, but the change in the lives for ordinary Russians.
Her comments was aired on Russian television and later reposted to X.
Simonyan Recounts Air Raid Horror with Family
Simonyan revealed how a Ukrainian drone strike near Sochi forced her family, including her children, grandchildren, and in-laws, to sleep on the floor during an air raid.
The target, a fuel facility in the nearby town of Sirius, was hit on July 24, sending flames into the night sky and rattling nerves in the region.
Civilian Targets or Psychological Warfare?
Sirius, located roughly 30 kilometers from Sochi, is home to a prestigious educational centre and a Lukoil fuel depot.
Simonyan insisted there were no military targets in the area, accusing Ukraine of engaging in psychological warfare meant to provoke fear and frustration among everyday Russians.
Fear of Politicizing the Apolitical
Simonyan’s main concern appears to be that drone strikes are turning previously disengaged citizens into political opponents of the war.
“They want to destabilize neutral people,” she warned, suggesting that even Russians who initially tolerated the conflict may soon grow restless under constant threat and disruption.
Holidays vs. Homeland: A Stark Trade-Off
The RT chief framed the conflict as a test of public endurance, claiming that personal sacrifices, such as cancelled vacations or interrupted travel, are necessary for Russia’s broader war goals.
“Sometimes you might not be able to fly somewhere. Sometimes you might even have to cancel your vacation,” she said, in an appeal to patriotic patience.
‘They Want Us to Defeat Ourselves’
Perhaps her most telling remark was a historical reference:
“Ukraine and its Western allies want us to defeat ourselves, as we have already done twice in the 20th century.”
The statement implies an internal collapse is a greater fear for Russian elites than any external military loss.
Domestic Life Under Fire
As drone strikes increase, civilian areas far from the front lines like Sochi are now in the crosshairs.
The attacks have disrupted flights, struck oil infrastructure, and shaken tourist destinations once considered safe.
This shift suggests Ukraine may be broadening its strategy to hit Russia where it least expects it; at home.
Kremlin Messaging Shifts from Strength to Survival
Simonyan’s comments indicate a shift in state propaganda from projecting control to managing fear.
The government now seems focused on preparing the public for continued hardship and asking them to endure personal sacrifices for the sake of national security.
Sochi No Longer a Safe Haven
Long viewed as a symbol of Russian leisure and prosperity,
Sochi is now being rattled by drone attacks that bring the war closer to home.
The psychological impact of seeing flames rise in a resort town may prove more potent than battlefield losses in swaying public opinion.
A Nation on Edge
With more civilians experiencing the war firsthand, pressure is mounting on the Kremlin to contain unrest.
As even loyal propagandists like Simonyan express concern, it’s clear that Ukraine’s drone strategy is achieving more than physical damage, it’s undermining the illusion of distance from the war.
