Intrigue in the air: Drone attack against Putin or false flag operation?

Is the Kremlin installing a climate of fear ahead of an announced spring counter-offensive? Or is it a deliberate plan to keep Russian public opinion on edge and squarely behind a leader who frames this not as an unprovoked invasion of a neighbouring state, but as an all-out war by the West, hell-bent on bringing Russia to its knees?

Beyond the war of words, what are the life or death consequences in the real world?

Produced by Alessandro Xenos, Josephine Joly and Imen Mellaz.

Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning

Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 app