Political scientist Renaud Girard suggests Vladimir Putin is no longer relying on a swift military collapse of the Ukrainian front lines. Instead, Putin now appears to be focusing on destabilizing Ukraine by targeting its support systems and infrastructure – a strategy reminiscent of the situation in Germany in September 1918. This represents a shift towards a war of attrition, aiming to exhaust Ukraine's resources and will to fight. The Kremlin seems to believe that eroding support within Ukraine is a more achievable goal than a direct military breakthrough. Girard’s analysis indicates a prolonged and increasingly destructive phase in the Russo-Ukrainian war. The strategy focuses on weakening the Ukrainian state from within, rather than attempting to conquer territory rapidly. This new approach could have significant implications for the future of the conflict and the humanitarian situation in Ukraine.