Die Ukraine trifft Russland, wo es weh tut – und funktioniert funktioniert

On Ukraine’s Independence Day last month, [Volodymyr Zelensky](https://inews.co.uk/topic/volodymyr-zelensky?ico=in-line_link) threw down a fresh gauntlet to his Russian foe.

It was hardly a rabbit out of the hat moment when he revealed that [Ukraine ](https://inews.co.uk/topic/ukraine?ico=in-line_link)was building its very own long-range cruise missile with a reach of some 3,000km. It had been known for some time that [the new Flamingo was in the works](https://inews.co.uk/news/world/ukraines-devastating-new-flamingo-missile-could-hit-moscow-3871206?srsltid=AfmBOoqj3jX9CHhDrlh2A4baE7FQmBo3VbBVxnjSicXwLDqS_qhSv5YT&ico=in-line_link), but Zelensky now confirmed that it will soon be in production.

The Russian response came 48 hours later with the devastating drone and missile attack across Ukraine.

There are now signs from several fronts that [the war](https://inews.co.uk/topic/russia-ukraine-war?ico=in-line_link) is reaching a critical stage – a culminating point, in military jargon – for both sides. The outcome is uncertain as ever, with no clear winner in sight.

For all the blather about peace talks, terms and investment opportunities, the war goes on. [Vladimir Putin ](https://inews.co.uk/topic/vladimir-putin?ico=in-line_link)doesn’t want any more meetings while he senses victory in the field. If anything Russia’s terms have become harsher, particularly as articulated by foreign minister Sergei Lavrov. More than refusing a tête-à-tête between Putin and Zelensky, the Kremlin now wants Trump to remove Zelensky, claiming his leadership is “illegitimate”.

Hubris has stalked the Russian camp since the Alaska summit, where Putin left-footed the sadly ill-prepared Trump contingent. He was out of isolation, appearing on the world’s media as the equal of the president of the US. Since then the Kremlin has [said there can be no peace without victory](https://inews.co.uk/news/trumps-peace-summit-memory-punishing-putin-3889121?ico=in-line_link), and an end to Ukraine’s independence.

Yet, as in ancient myth, [Hubris for the Russians](https://inews.co.uk/news/world/how-russia-escalating-pressure-ukraine-on-off-battlefield-3882210?ico=in-line_link) is being pursued by Nemesis, goddess of vengeance.