Ukraine's Drone Strikes on Moscow: A Turning Point in the War?

Former CIA Station Chief Dan Hoffman believes that Ukraine can finally defeat Russia if it is armed with long-range weapons. The recent drone strikes on Moscow have raised morale in Ukraine and changed the dynamic of the fighting with the Russians.

Ukraine targeted Moscow on Wednesday in what Russian officials called one of the largest drone strikes on the capital since the war began in 2022. All 11 drones heading toward the capital in the Moscow region were destroyed, Russia’s Ministry of Defense said. In total, Russia said its air defenses downed 45 Ukrainian drones, including 23 over the Bryansk region, six over Belgorod, three over Kaluga and two over Kursk.

"This was one of the biggest attempts of all time to attack Moscow using drones," Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said on his Telegram channel, adding that strong air defenses around the capital prevented the drones from striking their intended targets.

Ukraine's Drone Strikes on Moscow: A Turning Point in the War?

Some Russian social media channels shared videos of drones apparently being destroyed by air defense systems, which then set off car alarms.

In Russia's Kursk region, one person was killed and two were wounded after a Ukrainian drone dropped an explosive device on their car, Acting Regional Governor Alexei Smirnov said on Telegram, according to Reuters.

Ukraine's Drone Strikes on Moscow: A Turning Point in the War?

Ukraine has been attacking Russia with drones, targeting oil refineries and airfields, in an attempt to weaken Russia's fighting potential and also has targeted the capital several times. 

Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continue to push into Russia’s western Kursk region while the Russians drive forward slowly in a land conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine's Drone Strikes on Moscow: A Turning Point in the War?

Kyiv’s incursion into Russia appears to have raised morale in Ukraine and changed the dynamic of the fighting with the Russians, though it is uncertain how long the Ukrainians can hold what territory they have seized in Kursk.

Hoffman, who is also a Fox News contributor, said on "Fox News Live" that Putin must be surprised at Ukraine's invasion of his country.

Ukraine's Drone Strikes on Moscow: A Turning Point in the War?

"I think Putin is probably scratching his head right now, saying, 'What the heck is going on here?'" Hoffman said. "He thought he was going to roll into Ukraine and it would be a cakewalk. But the Ukrainians have put up a much stiffer resistance than he expected."

Hoffman said that Ukraine needs long-range weapons to be able to defeat Russia.

"The Ukrainians need long-range weapons to be able to hit Russian targets from a distance," Hoffman said. "This would allow them to weaken Russia's military and make it more difficult for Russia to sustain its invasion."

The United States has been providing Ukraine with military aid, but it has been reluctant to provide long-range weapons. The Biden administration fears that providing long-range weapons could escalate the conflict and lead to a wider war with Russia.

However, Hoffman said that the US needs to provide Ukraine with long-range weapons if it wants Ukraine to be able to defeat Russia.

"The US needs to provide Ukraine with long-range weapons if it wants Ukraine to be able to defeat Russia," Hoffman said. "This is the only way that Ukraine will be able to end the war and restore its sovereignty."