Vladimir Putin is factually wrong when he contends that his unprovoked invasion of Ukraine was a defensive measure against US-led aggression. The West is not at war against Russia. That said, NATO is no longer exactly sitting idle.
There's still no direct confrontation, but 15 months on, ratcheted-up support for Ukraine has morphed into an East-versus-West test of battle readiness that's brought the two sides closer to active combat than at arguably any time since the Cuban missile crisis of 1962.
At 3am on Tuesday, Kyiv time, Russia threw its most powerful hypersonic missiles – the Khinzal – at the US's most sophisticated anti-aircraft batteries, the Patriots. We ask about conflicting claims over who got the better of whom and who will actually control the skies once a Ukrainian counter-offensive goes full throttle.
While Ukraine pleads for jets, the Western press highlights dysfunction inside the Kremlin and on the battlefield. Does Moscow still have plenty in the tank? In any case, both sides face major challenges in the days and weeks ahead.
Produced by Charles Wente, Daphné Leprince-Ringuet and Imen Mellaz.
