The Kremlin, after more than two years of referring to its invasion of Ukraine as a ‘special military operation’, has now acknowledged that Russia is at war due to Western intervention and support of its neighbor. Kremlin spokesperson Dimitry Peskov stated that while the attack on Ukraine was initially labeled as a “special military operation”, it has now escalated into a full-scale war due to the involvement of the West on the side of Ukraine.
As tensions continue to rise, Russian officials have started using the term “war” more frequently, signaling a prolonged standoff with the United States and its allies. This change in language allows the Russian authorities to announce decisions typically associated with war, such as further mobilization, to the Russian people. Analysts believe that this shift in language marks a psychological boundary that may lead to different demands being made of the population and elites.
While Peskov maintained that Russia’s actions in Ukraine are still legally classified at home as a “special military operation”, he acknowledged that the conflict has escalated into a full-blown war due to increased Western involvement. The occupation of almost a fifth of Ukraine, including Crimea which was annexed in 2014, has led to tens of thousands of casualties, both military and civilian.
Peskov emphasized the need to “liberate” the regions claimed by Russia in 2022 to ensure the safety of the people living there. On the other hand, Kyiv considers Russia’s annexation of these regions as illegal and is determined to reclaim Crimea. The ongoing conflict continues to impact the region and shows no signs of resolution in the near future.