Russian and Ukrainian Drone Strikes Won’t Bring Peace Closer from Position of Strength or that of Weakness but Rather Give Rise to Anger that Will Prolong the War, Pastukhov Says

Paul Goble

            Staunton, Sept. 18 – Many assume that drone attacks by Russia against Ukraine or Ukraine against Russia will bring peace closer from a position of strength or one of weakness, Vladimir Pastukhov says; but in reality, only a change in the military situation on the front line or a revolution in one or the other capital can do that.

            Indeed, the London-based Russian commentator suggests, the drone attacks and the damage they do to infrastructure and human life will exacerbate feelings on both sides and make the achievement of peace more difficult because each side will feel compelled to take revenge for what is feels has been done to it (opinions.glavred.info/prekratit-voynu-sposobny-tolko-front-i-revolyuciya-obyasnyaet-pastuhov-10797608.html).

            The reason is simple, Pastukhov continues. “Pain and suffering are much more likely to lead to anger rather than to compassion” and lead people on both sides to conclude that our side must “win, no matter how much time and effort that takes,” exactly the opposite of what the most enthusiastic advocates of drone warfare suggest.

            Terror against populations in the rear won’t change the situation at the front or the likelihood of a revolution in the capital. Instead, they will harden positions on both sides and thus “will not bring peace to anyone. Not in the near future nor in the distant one,” however popular drone strikes against the opposing side are now in both Russia and Ukraine.