An unsigned Opinion column published in the May 4 edition of the semi-official Chinese daily Global Times provides insight into China’s view of the recent drone attack on the Kremlin. Headlined “Drone Attack Crosses Tacit Red Line between Russia, Ukraine, Further Escalating Tensions,” the article asserts that “the nature of the alleged drone attack is very serious.” It quotes Zhang Hong, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences: “This time, the alleged attack crossed the tacit red line set by both sides…. Who did it and whether Russia will attack Ukraine’s presidential palace in retaliation has become the biggest suspense…. This action is both a shock and a warning.”
The op-ed then quotes Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, who “told the Global Times that Russia will likely take two countermeasures. For one thing, Russia will likely implement effective strikes against more significant targets in Ukraine. Even more fierce attacks may be launched in the spring offensives, causing greater losses to the Ukrainian army and reducing its ability to attack Russia. `For another, retaliation against Zelenskyy himself cannot be ruled out. The possibility of retaliatory strikes on facilities, including the presidential palace and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, also cannot be ruled out,’ said Song.”
