Ukraine’s surprise attack on Russia earlier this month has weakened Vladimir Putin’s grip on Russia, the defense minister said.

In an article for The Telegraph, John Healey said the Russian dictator could face mounting internal pressure following Volodymyr Zelensky’s Kursk operation earlier this month, considered the largest foreign attack on Russian territory since World War II.

This has led Russians to question Putin’s legitimacy as a leader, Healey said, writing that “it has sowed doubts within Russia and exposed Putin’s clique in the Kremlin to the consequences of the aggression.”

This comes after Kiev on Wednesday carried out the largest drone attack on Moscow since Putin’s invasion in February 2022.

Russian authorities managed to shoot down 11 drones flying toward Moscow, but had to repel 23 others.

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with members of the Security Council via video conference at the Novo-Ogaryovo State Residence, outside Moscow, Russia, Friday, August 23, 2024.

British Defence Secretary John Healey said Ukraine’s surprise attack on Russia earlier this month had weakened Vladimir Putin’s grip on Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attends talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (not pictured) at 10 Downing Street in London, Britain last month. Zelensky asked Keir Starmer last week for permission to use British-donated missiles to ‘turn the tide of war against Russia’

Moscow was forced to temporarily close three airports as a result, but Moscow’s city centre remained untouched thanks to a ring of anti-aircraft and anti-drone missile systems.

Still, a large-scale attack so close to the Kremlin is likely to increase pressure on President Vladimir Putin. Only eight drones were involved in Kiev’s attack on Moscow last May.

Video footage showed Russian air defense systems running at full speed all night. Air defense systems suddenly blew up drones in western Russia, leaving nothing but fireballs and debris.

Many Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow were destroyed over the city of Podolsk, located 39 kilometers south of the capital.

Last week, Ukraine asked Keir Starmer for permission to use missiles donated by Britain to “turn the tide of war against Russia”.

A Ukrainian tank on a road in the Sumy region. Ukrainian troops have taken control of 1,150 square kilometers of the territory of the Russian Federation.

Volodymyr Zelensky visits a training center at an undisclosed location in Ukraine

Ukrainian soldiers hide from shelling, during the Russian attack on Ukraine, near the Russian border in the Sumy region, Ukraine August 13, 2024

Kiev would use the long-range missiles to attack Russian supply lines, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told The Telegraph.

If Britain were to relax restrictions on the so-called Storm Shadow missiles, Ukraine would be able to step up the intensity of its attacks on Russian territory, potentially hastening the end of the war.

Zelensky said his forces were “strengthening” their positions in Russia’s Kursk region, where Kiev has been conducting a major ground offensive for more than 11 days.

An open appeal by Ukraine to the British could further strengthen their position.

Defence Secretary John Healey said the UK should be “proud” of the use of British weapons by Ukraine.

Mr Healey said Ukraine’s right to self-defence also includes conducting operations in Russia, as long as they are consistent with international law.