[inglor_cz]

What difference? They hit random civilian targets far behind the frontline.

This makes people angry, but does not significantly contribute to attrition of the Ukrainian military.

The recent cruise missile hits in Ukrainian cities haven't helped the Russians acquire even a square inch of new territory.

[TheLoafOfBread]

I don't understand this terror tactic either.

* It will only more cement Ukrainians against them

* It will have no negative influence on Ukrainian military nor aviation.

* Ukraine will use those attacks in their own propaganda to get more weapons and money from the West.

So those attacks are a waste of military assets with marginally negative gain. Who in Russian leadership is planning those dumb attacks?

[inglor_cz]

Rationally, this war wouldn't even start.

We are too rational here on HN to try to emulate/parse/analyze the decision making involved. There is a big dollop of madness there.

[philistine]

Think instead of the people who have authority over these weapon systems. How much time they spent training to use those weapons. How important it must feel to them that their weapons are used.

The fact that the intelligence needed to give them valuable targets is a secondary concern. Their main concern is the readiness and cohesion that come from pressing the fire button.