Answer to Question

Ukraine's Attacks on Russia During the Economic Forum

(Translated)

Question:

Al Jazeera Net reported on 10/6/2026: (Ukrainian President Zelenskyy announced on Wednesday that his country targeted a Russian military facility hundreds of kilometers east of Moscow the previous night with Ukrainian-made missiles, a claim Russia acknowledged, also announcing that it had intercepted hundreds of Ukrainian drones in various parts of the country...). CNN Arabic had reported on 6/6/2026: (Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack on St. Petersburg early Saturday morning, on the final day of the major economic forum hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin in the city. Russia's second-largest city was subjected to a "large-scale attack by military drones"). This Ukrainian strike coincided with the closing day of the major economic forum organized by Russia in the city, similar to the Davos Forum. What are the implications of these significant Ukrainian strikes that have reached deep into Russia, even during conferences in St. Petersburg, its second most important city? Does it reveal a new reality in Russia, with its transformation from a country that was among the major powers to a country of medium power and influence?

Answer:

To answer the questions above, we will review the following:

1- Regarding this attack... what Al Jazeera published on 10/6/2026, and what CNN Arabic published on 6/6/2026, is a clear description of the reality that Russia has found itself in, especially the Ukrainian attacks on it during the economic forum in Russia's second most important city! Moreover, this attack did not only occur at the conclusion of the forum but also at its beginning! [Ukrainian forces shelled St. Petersburg on the last day of the international economic forum hosted by the city... On the first day of the Russian international economic forum, Wednesday, plumes of smoke rose into the sky above the Old Town after an attack on an oil refinery. Guests arriving at the event were greeted by a column of black smoke in the background... Middle East, 6/6/2026].

2- This type of large-scale and powerful attack, targeting key facilities and cities deep within Russia, not just on the border with Ukraine, and coinciding with a major event in Russia—the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which President Putin himself is attending—represents a significant challenge for Russia. Ukraine initially refrained from launching any attacks beyond its borders with Russia at the beginning of the war. Then it began attacking across the border and gradually escalated its attacks, reaching the Kremlin itself and striking airfields deep in Siberia, destroying Russian strategic aircraft, including the "White Swan" bombers, which are part of Russia's nuclear triad. Its attacks on Russian cities, both near and far, did not stop. Now it is attacking Moscow, the capital, and St. Petersburg, a city of immense importance to Russia and the capital at the end of the Tsarist era and the beginning of the socialist era.

The attack occurred during a highly significant international event for Russia, a forum modeled after the Davos Forum, intended to highlight Russia's importance on the international stage, particularly in the economic sphere. This international economic event, for Russia, embodies its sense of grandeur. Thus, the initial Ukrainian attack at the forum's opening, the second at its conclusion, and subsequent attacks all represent a shattering of this sense of Russian grandeur. It is as if a powerful force, whether America or Europe, stands behind Ukraine, wanting to tell Russia that it is an economically insignificant nation, incapable of protecting the city hosting this event that evokes such feelings of grandeur in you.

3- It is true that Russia is attacking Ukraine, (Russia pounded Kyiv and surrounding areas with hundreds of drones and missiles on Sunday in ​one of the heaviest bombardments of the city since the start of the four-year war, firing an Oreshnik hypersonic missile near the capital. Reuters, 24/5/2026). This means that both countries are attacking each other, and the recent Ukrainian attack is one of these tit-for-tat strikes. However, the reality of these tit-for-tat strikes indicates that Russia has fallen from its status as the great power that countries like Ukraine fear! Russia used to surround itself with an aura of prestige that deterred Ukraine from attacking it. In fact, at the beginning of the war, Ukraine refrained from attacking Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, for fear of a severe Russian response.

4- Then, this Russian prestige gradually crumbled during the months of war until it was completely eroded, paving the way for Ukrainian attacks in Russia's deepest recesses, its most sacred symbols, its most luxurious cities, and at its most sensitive times. A close examination of Russian statements and positions coinciding with, before, and after the two attacks reveals a profound degree of Russian weakness. While Russia undoubtedly recognizes that Ukraine is attacking it with American support, it is nonetheless courting the US. Putin's statements demonstrate this:

A- (Yesterday, President Vladimir Putin expressed his respect for US President Donald Trump and his efforts to advance a settlement in Ukraine, praising his handling of Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Regarding settlement efforts, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov recently announced that he is in contact with his American counterpart, Steven Witkoff, and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and that their visit to Russia is being planned. RT, 6/6/2026).

B- (Putin explained that Russia is "ready and willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine through peaceful means, specifically on the basis of what we discussed at the meeting with President Trump in Anchorage.” The Russian president noted that during the negotiations in Anchorage, Russia was presented with issues concerning the possibility of the country making certain concessions. He emphasized, "Regarding the settlement solutions we discussed in Anchorage, Russia agrees to them." Putin added, "It is essential that the Ukrainian side agrees to these settlement solutions. The conflict will then quickly reach its natural end." RT, 4/6/2026).

5- All of this demonstrates the extent of Russia's decline and weakness in the military, economic, and political spheres, as follows:

A- As for the military aspect, since the outbreak of the Ukrainian war in 2022, Russia has lost dozens of its top generals in successful Ukrainian military operations. The Russian army has suffered greatly, as evidenced by the difficulty of the battles around the cities of Bakhmut, and before that, Mariupol, where Ukrainian fighters fortified themselves in the steel plant for a long period. Prior to that, there was the resounding failure of Russia's attack on Kyiv, the setback suffered by the Russian army, its withdrawal from deep within Ukraine, and its decision to concentrate on the east. Russia also lost 40% of its Black Sea Fleet ships, and a number of its strategic "White Swan" aircraft were destroyed in cities thousands of kilometers from the Ukrainian border, among many other losses.

These setbacks, losses, and the inability to achieve a decisive victory have all confirmed a new reality on the international stage: the Russian army does not represent a superpower. It cannot win in Ukraine, and US President Trump attacked it when he said that the war, which was supposed to be resolved in two weeks, has been going on for four years without a victory. Thus, the Ukrainian war has revealed a truth that was not apparent before this war: the weakness of the Russian army, or at least that its strength is not commensurate with that of a superpower, but is closer to a middle military power like the Indian or Pakistani army. However, Russia remains a major nuclear power, and this nuclear power has not been subjected to actual military testing. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated during the war that the Russian nuclear force suffers from major technical problems, which sows great doubt about the reality of the Russian nuclear force, even though it is the last pillar of Russia's international greatness.

B- As for the economic aspect, no country can become a superpower if it is economically weak, and this is the case with Russia today. Despite its vast area and abundant agricultural, oil, raw materials, and rare minerals, its total economic output is only $2.5 trillion at its maximum, fluctuating between eighth and tenth place internationally. It is far from China and America, whose economic output is close to $20 and $30 trillion respectively, and is preceded economically by many other countries such as Germany, Japan, India, Britain, and France, and sometimes Italy and Canada precede it in some years.

The Russian economy is almost entirely dependent on energy resources and raw material exports. The world hardly knows of any specific economic commodity for which Russia is famous, except for weapons. When the European financial lifeline was cut off due to the war in Ukraine, the sanctions imposed on Russian oil and gas, and the bombing of the Nord Stream pipelines, the Russian economy found itself in a predicament. It began trying to get out of this predicament by turning towards China. However, the American sanctions and China's fear of being affected by those sanctions forced Russia to sell its oil at low prices to entice buyers in China, India, and others. After four years of war, the emigration of many Russian intellectuals abroad, and the economy's reliance on military manufacturing to supply the Ukrainian front, Russia's economic situation is becoming increasingly difficult.

C- From a political standpoint: the war in Ukraine in 2022 imposed significant political isolation on Russia, creating a major barrier between it and many countries, especially Western ones, hindering its actions. Russia lost many of its international relationships. When the US and the Jewish entity launched their war on Iran, Russia offered Iran nothing of value. Perhaps the most significant support it provided was a public expression of condolences for the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Despite Iran supplying Russia with Shahed drones during the Ukrainian war, Russia did not appear to offer anything to bolster Iran's resilience against the massive US and Israel offensive. Politically, if Iran were to pursue independence from the US orbit, its alignment would not be with Russia due to the weakness of Russian policy. Had Russia possessed a political vision befitting a great power, it would have taken the lead and assisted Iran in sinking American ships in response to America’s assistance to Ukraine in sinking Russian Black Sea Fleet ships and would have gained considerable influence within Iran, but its failure to do so confirms the weakness of its policy and that this policy is only at the level of middle powers, and is not befitting a country that waged war in Ukraine to improve its international standing!

6- In conclusion, the engines of Russian grandeur have begun to crumble, and indeed, their decline has already begun. The Ukrainian attacks, instigated by Western countries in general, and the United States in particular, came at a critical time for Russia, coinciding with the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. These attacks were preceded by the weakening of the Russian military and the sinking of its warships, which are a source of pride for the Russian people, such as the large cruiser "Moskva," the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet. The downing of numerous "White Swan" aircraft shattered a pillar of Russia's air power. The recent attack on the city hosting the international forum serves as a stark reminder to Russians that their sense of grandeur is incompatible with their economic weakness. Indeed, Russia is hosting an international event that it cannot even protect. Furthermore, its international relations are deteriorating and faltering, with the exception of its relationship with Belarus. Even Russia's outreach to China and the so-called Russian-Chinese alliance have failed. China has not come to Russia's aid in times of crisis, despite their strategic agreement and their alliance within BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and other bodies. These alliances have proven to be largely symbolic and fall short of real substance to (reviving Russian greatness) after its decline and instability.

In conclusion, while Russia may have preceded Western nations, particularly America, in weakness and instability, all kafir colonial powers bear the burden of their own failures. This will become abundantly clear upon the establishment of the Khilafah Rashidah (Rightly Guided Caliphate), Allah willing, which will revive the history of the fall of the Persian and the Roman emperors before the might of the Islamic state—the Khilafah (Caliphate) established on the method of Prophethood. These nations, though they may have recovered after the fall of the Khilafah, will inevitably collapse again upon the establishment of the Khilafah promised by Al Qawi Al Aziz.

[وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ] “Allah has promised those of you who believe and do good that He will certainly make them successors in the land” [An-Nur: 55]. And the truthful and trustworthy Messenger of Allah (saw) gave us glad tidings that it would return after this oppressive rule under which we live: Ahmad narrated... on the authority of Hudhayfah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:

«...ثُمَّ تَكُونُ مُلْكاً جَبْرِيَّةً فَتَكُونُ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ أَنْ تَكُونَ، ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُهَا إِذَا شَاءَ أَنْ يَرْفَعَهَا، ثُمَّ تَكُونُ خِلَافَةً عَلَى مِنْهَاجِ النُّبُوَّةِ ثُمَّ سَكَتَ»

“... Then there will be oppressive rule (ملكًا جبرية) for as long as Allah wills, then he will remove it when He wills, and then there will be Khilafah upon the Prophetic method. Then he (saw) was silent.”

And this will happen, Allah willing. [وَاللَّهُ غَالِبٌ عَلَى أَمْرِهِ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ] “Allah’s Will always prevails, but most people do not know” [Yusuf: 21].

26 Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH

12/6/2026 CE