Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin ‘is being misled by his own generals’ as Zelensky warns he could strike again

Following a devastating Russian aerial assault across Ukraine that killed at least 18 and targeted critical infrastructure, President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a stark warning: Kyiv is prepared to retaliate with deeper and more frequent strikes. This defiance comes amid persistent claims from Western Intelligence that Vladimir Putin is being deliberately misled by his own generals about the true state of Russia's war effort, exacerbating an already volatile situation. This recurring narrative of a deceived Putin highlights the Kremlin internal fragmentation and potentially flawed decision-making, even as Moscow continues its high-intensity campaign. Ukrainian forces, leveraging recently delivered long-range precision strikes like ATACMS and Storm Shadow Missiles, have increasingly demonstrated their capacity to hit high-value Russian targets, challenging Moscow's perceived strategic depth. The recent attacks by Russia appear to be a direct response to Ukraine's growing capabilities, marking a dangerous escalation cycle. As NATO allies deliberate further military aid packages, including more advanced Ukrainian Air Defense systems, the immediate future points to an intensifying exchange of strikes. Kyiv's capacity to disrupt Russian logistics and command centers, potentially including assets like the Black Sea Fleet, will be critical. Observers will be watching for signs of whether the alleged internal dissent within the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces truly impacts the Kremlin strategic calculus or simply fuels more aggressive, yet potentially misguided, offensives.