# Anatol Lieven, Mutual Delusion

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-08-08 11:07 UTC · Category: World

## Executive Summary
Analysis of Ukraine's deep strikes into Russia sparks debate over strategic gains versus the risk of playing into Vladimir Putin's hands.

## Intelligence Brief
Ukraine is currently conducting audacious attacks hitting deep inside Russian territory, a shift in operational reach that has sparked significant international analysis. According to reports from The Independent and the Kyiv Post, these strikes are resulting in rising casualties for Russia and contributing to critical shortages and a buckling economy. While the Atlantic Council suggests that Ukraine is regaining the initiative from Russia, other perspectives question the long-term strategic utility of these deep-strike operations. The current military situation is characterized by an attempt by Ukraine to shift the momentum of the conflict through high-risk, high-reward tactical maneuvers. Coverage of these events varies significantly across different media outlets. The Kyiv Post emphasizes the internal Russian instability caused by these strikes, focusing on economic failures and personnel losses.


In contrast, The Times expresses concern that such audacious attacks might actually play into the hands of Vladimir Putin. The National Scot provides a counter-narrative to pro-Russian propaganda, asserting that Ukrainians are not prepared to sell out their country despite the pressures of the war. Additionally, Channel 4 News has raised the broader question of whether Putin is losing the war, while the New Left Review features an analysis by Anatol Lieven titled Mutual Delusion. Contextually, this trend emerges as Europe is urged by the Atlantic Council to seize the moment while Ukraine holds the initiative. The conflict has reached a phase where the ability to strike deep within Russian borders is seen as a pivotal capability. The discourse is shaped by a clash between the perceived effectiveness of these strikes and the risk of escalation or strategic miscalculation.


This is framed against a backdrop of systemic Russian economic strain and a persistent ideological battle regarding the resolve of the Ukrainian population and the stability of the Kremlin's leadership. Future developments to monitor include the continued impact of these deep strikes on the Russian economy and casualty rates as reported by the Kyiv Post. Observers will be watching to see if the concerns raised by The Times regarding Putin's potential benefit from these attacks materialize. Furthermore, the geopolitical response from Europe will be critical, specifically whether the region follows the Atlantic Council's recommendation to act on Ukraine's current initiative. The strategic interpretation of these events continues to be debated by intellectuals like Anatol Lieven, focusing on the delusions potentially held by both sides of the conflict.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| kyivpost.com | Ukraine’s Strikes Hit Home: Russia Faces Rising Casualties, Shortages and a Buckling Economy | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiT0FVX3lxTE9TeTBxU1Y3bnMzcTRKZFQtaktMWnpLcFRlQlFKMlc5eHFlcm8tbnRGUTVIYzZJZXlRQTVldVhSM1JSbm00MVh0dGlXWnFaZ0U?oc=5) |
| The Times | Ukraine’s audacious attacks may just play into Putin’s hands | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipgFBVV95cUxQdDFPYkJtUkd2QTFQbUtTX3loVUNLRmhIdmZEdTZEUzFrZTduTDYyaGczQlphaVNhMXMwUzZyMDN6eUZNbW9jYW11b19TQWNYaGtOem1tbzdNVjU2OGpETUNONzNrVFVRSHVKQkJkbDdiNTdJSkhvTGhQOWJxRm5BQzFBcDE4X2lIZi1KNExrTEhrdlJZVmNHeVEzWW83QW1mQlRZT3NB?oc=5) |
| The National Scot | Contrary to pro-Russian propaganda Ukrainians aren’t about to sell out their country | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihgFBVV95cUxPaVdMbGtOYXRiZDB4cVlQUWVXSXdMcUtjTUdYaU9GT0dxSVBtaC13Z1VYOTZYcGpJVXhGSFNPNjRwNmtmdTV2MWJIc0xtb2Q0WDhjUEFiZ3pUZVpHajc5OVgwZUpFdzNyemxCY0FNbEtMdHdFX2xIM3dDRHowemJna2t5Vm5oQQ?oc=5) |
| The Independent | Ukraine are hitting deep inside Russia – but don’t expect Putin to capitulate yet | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMingFBVV95cUxNcmhLU3BQTXA4c3NIV1g3V0FFeU9sQ011NjQyczNGWkFXVTloTlE3MjhJdGQ3MGtqLTllclpMVWRBSXR4SG56VWhjOXBPWERFNlAxTmVQUzNmN1g0ZUlRMjFNaS1RZHNNaVNuakY3MVVfUFVHRElKS1Jad195MUdxZVpOTS1tbmoxVFRxTXcxVjVJNFZKc0cwOFB0YTRQQQ?oc=5) |
| Atlantic Council | As Ukraine regains the initiative from Russia, Europe must seize the moment | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMixAFBVV95cUxQcHdrVHRwYlgtWEl6MTRTRXFvS21zXy1UazBEOWtDVE81QXBkQlZ4MC1ZZnBSeFp5RmlBUEdVZ0NsNkxhSG9JYkhlemtyMm1IZFc3bGMzZnozZkJ4dHh4Y0FocDNjX3MzUU13S3JGYWpleGhtbmlkNE1BWS1DWkQwcXJLNEpUWXp5bndmeU1UZHBldEFnMDM3Mm0wRVcwQUo5UUpOSjBfMERNZk4xMjN6dkVLWXV3NDllcEx3Z1ZCcFlCd1dv?oc=5) |
| Channel 4 News | Substack | Is Putin losing Ukraine war? - Truth behind Ceuta crisis - Democrat victory - Farage’s ratings plummet | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMieEFVX3lxTE1SODEya2h6M21zNmZIcE00YnVuSFNWR2g1NzVCRzlqWW1wLUd6bC1vSVlMOW1mSEp6THM2VWJzc2ZQLWpXbVl1bDhndTBrWnV3MVdjeU1EVUhHZGJvdlhKZGxydWY0bUVETTE2ZTlrS0RaZjdkV3VYVQ?oc=5) |
| New Left Review | Anatol Lieven, Mutual Delusion — Sidecar | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiZkFVX3lxTE9CNGVqSkc2RmNfUm5nU3Y5a0h4dUlzRGloMldCeW03aFBLeVNsMnQtdm9NX25iUXNLaXdmdVNGSmo3eE94MlZZR1dTZk1obXhjTnl1eWpUQ0N6bkZueVRsSkt3V1BZZw?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-08-08/anatol-lieven-mutual-delusion*