https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240322-kremlin-says-russia-says-in-a-state-of-war-in-ukraine

Russia has presented its offensive on Ukraine as a “special
military operation,” banned media outlets from using the
word “war” and prosecuted anti-offensive campaigners for
using the word to describe Russia’s military actions.

“We are in a state of war. Yes, it started as a special
military operation, but as soon as this bunch was formed
there, when the collective West became a participant on
Ukraine’s side, for us it already became a war,” Kremlin
spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview to a
pro-Kremlin newspaper published on Friday.

Asked to elaborate, Peskov told reporters later: “De jure
it is a special military operation. But de facto it has
turned into a war.”

President Vladimir Putin has previously said the West
has unleashed a “hybrid war” against Moscow, but largely
stuck to calling the conflict in Ukraine a “special
military operation.”

.. . .

This is a politically-relevant change of language.

Russia WILL find a way to blame the West/Ukraine
for the apparent big ISIS attack in Moscow today
as well.

This will justify much more severe actions against
Ukraine and possibly scary troop build-ups and
skirmishes along the NATO eastern borders.

Putin is now emboldened by his phony election this
week - he can claim a "mandate". This 'election'
will hold him for six years - he'll probably be
dead or going senile by then so THIS is his
big moment, he can REALLY press things.

IMHO, there will be an "obliteration attack" on
Kyiv very soon - missiles & bombers, explosives
and incendiaries - with the aim of breaking resolve
and killing as many Ukrainian leaders as possible.
Next shipments from NK and China, Putin will have
enough. Expect an escalation in assassinations too,
with Zelensky and his top circle as prime targets
no matter where they are.

Europe and the USA keep promising more arms for
Ukraine - but DELIVERY is conveniently far away,
months. Politics keeps intervening. Does the
west WANT Russia to win, thinking Ukraine will
satisfy ??? Only Macron now seems to be speaking
the Truth on that .......

Putin wants ALL of Old Russia back - including the
Balkans, Baltics, Poland and maybe Finland too.
Note that under Modi, India has drifted quite far
into the Sino-Russian bloc as well. That'll be
big trouble not far off - extra troops for the
Taiwan/Japan and Australian offensives ......