ISW: Putin Seeks to Shift Focus from Ukraine by Meddling in Middle East
Russian President Vladimir Putin is attempting to shift global attention away from his war against Ukraine by portraying Russia as a key mediator amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), The Gaze reports.
On June 14, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that he had spoken with Putin for about an hour, with most of the conversation focused on the Israel-Iran situation. “Much less” time, Trump said, was spent discussing Ukraine.
Russian Presidential Aide Yuriy Ushakov confirmed the focus on military escalation in the Middle East, stating that Putin expressed concern over rising tensions and offered Russia’s help in negotiating a peace settlement.
Trump added that he reminded Putin that the war in Ukraine “must end.” However, ISW analysts believe Putin’s overture is likely a calculated effort to rebrand Russia as a constructive international actor, diverting attention from its continued aggression in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Russia carried out a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine during the night of June 14–15, primarily targeting Poltava Oblast. The Ukrainian Air Force reported the launch of two Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles, an Iskander-M ballistic missile, four Iskander-K cruise missiles, and four Kalibr cruise missiles. Additionally, 183 Shahed and decoy drones were launched from various Russian regions.
Ukrainian forces successfully intercepted a significant portion of the attack, downing two Kinzhal missiles, three Iskander-K, three Kalibrs, and 111 drones. Ukrainian electronic warfare systems suppressed another 48 drones. Poltava regional officials stated that energy, agricultural, and civilian infrastructure in Kremenchuk and Chutivskyi were targeted.
As The Gaze previously reported, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has voiced deep concern over the escalating conflict in the Middle East after Israeli forces launched overnight airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear and military facilities.
Read more on The Gaze: Russia’s War on Ukraine: An Unprecedented Act of Genocide Targeting Ukraine’s National Identity and Existence