On the night of September 7, 2025, Russia carried out the biggest aerial attack on Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began. More than 800 drones and missiles were launched across nearly all regions. Ukrainian defenses intercepted most of them, but several reached their targets.
At least two people were killed and 11 wounded in Kyiv, and a fire broke out in the Cabinet of Ministers building after part of its roof and upper floors were struck. It was the first time a central government building in the capital was damaged by Russian fire.
This overwhelming strike demonstrated Moscow’s willingness to escalate. It also exposed the strain on Ukraine’s air defense system, which was pushed to its limits.
German newspaper Die Welt framed the escalation as a political calculation. In his article, journalist Tobias Blanken argued that Vladimir Putin acts like a ruler from antiquity, recalling Thucydides’ maxim: “The strong do what they want, and the weak endure what they must.”
Putin has drawn his own lessons from recent months. He sees that the West speaks of security guarantees but offers little substance.
He observes that the much-advertised “coalition of the determined” remains more a diplomatic phrase than a battlefield reality. And he understands that high-profile summits with U.S. President Donald Trump produce photo opportunities but no new deterrents against Russia.
Blanken notes that the West is “half-serious” in its response, which only emboldens Moscow. For example:
Such cautious approaches, the article argues, send the message that Russia will not face real consequences for escalation.
The analysis also highlights Donald Trump’s lack of direct criticism of Moscow. Instead, the U.S. president focuses his rhetoric on domestic issues, even warning his followers on social media that the Department of Defense might soon act against Chicago rather than Russia. For Putin, this signals a distracted adversary.
Blanken suggests that Trump’s reluctance to pressure the Kremlin adds to the sense of Western helplessness. The United States, while essential for Ukraine’s survival, is not showing the clarity of purpose needed to deter Moscow.
Some European leaders have spoken more firmly. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described Putin as “perhaps the most serious war criminal of our time” and stressed that “compliance is inappropriate.”
Yet, as Blanken concludes, words do not impress Putin. Without concrete measures—whether stronger sanctions, tighter military support, or credible deterrence—Russia will continue to test limits.
The September 7 attack was not only an assault on Ukrainian cities but also a message to the West. By striking the Cabinet of Ministers, Putin showed that he can reach Ukraine’s core institutions while Western leaders remain undecided about how far to go in aiding Kyiv.
The analysis in Die Welt makes the warning clear: as long as the West hesitates, Putin will feel free to escalate. And each new strike carries both deadly consequences for Ukraine and a demonstration of the cost of indecision in Europe and beyond.
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