Russia’s new tactics: what is the hidden purpose of Russian strikes on the TCC?
7 July 2025 14:14
ANALYSIS
Today, Russia attacked the Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centers (TSCs) in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia with drones. These attacks were preceded by similar attacks on TSCs in Poltava, Kremenchuk and Kryvyi Rih. After today’s events, the Vinnytsia city CCC hastened to announce the termination of work at the address.
The highest military command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces emphasizes that the purpose of these attacks is to disrupt mobilization in Ukraine. The Russians officially claim much the same thing, emphasizing that they are attacking military targets, but also stating that the TCC is not liked in Ukrainian society. In any case, it is obvious that this is a new tactic of Russia. However, what is its real, probably hidden, purpose, [Kommersant] asked domestic experts.
Читайте нас у Telegram: головні новини коротко
Manipulation of public opinion
Military expert Oleg Zhdanov sees the attacks on the TCC as an element of psychological pressure. He explains that the destruction of one branch in a large city is not of significant military importance.
“Yes, the base there will be partially lost, but only in the area for which the TCC is responsible. It can be restored,”
– he says, emphasizing that the key is psychological impact.
Zhdanov emphasizes that Russia is using the ambiguous attitude of Ukrainian society towards the TCC. In his opinion, the state has lost control over the situation in this regard, and therefore many people have a very negative attitude towards the territorial recruitment centers. And the Russians are actively using this.
The expert notes that some people may rejoice at the attacks on the TCCs without thinking about the consequences.
“Someone is happy, jumping up and down, like, hurrah, hurrah. But few people think: if the CCC is eliminated today, who will perform the task of mobilization?”
– Zhdanov says.
The expert summarizes that the Russians are very good at sensing the moment and acting effectively, including in the context of information warfare:
“They very clearly monitor the state of public opinion – where to press to get the result they need at the moment.”
Disrupting mobilization as a key strategy
Military expert Pavlo Narozhnyi also sees the attacks on the TCC as part of a broader strategy, but he believes that its focus is on terrorizing the population and disrupting mobilization.
“The biggest problem for the Russians is the Ukrainian army. How can they stop recruitment? By terrorizing the population,”
– emphasizes Narozhny.
The expert also draws attention to the active use of information and psychological operations (IPO) by the Russians, in particular in comments to publications about the TCC on social media.
“Go to any Facebook page of any TCC and read the comments. It’s just hell there. In 90% of cases, Russians write there. This is IPSO.”
Narozhnyi gives examples of fictional stories about beatings in shopping malls, which are later refuted by inspections. At the same time, the expert admits that there are real cases of abuse of power by TCC employees, but emphasizes that these problems are being solved, and reforms have begun in the TCC.
With this in mind, he notes that the enemy has no choice but to resort to terrorism to disrupt mobilization.
“Terrorism remains. They want people to be afraid to go to the military. That is, this is done to intimidate, to terrorize the population, to disrupt the process of mobilization in the army,”
– summarizes Pavlo Narozhny.
Читайте нас у Telegram: головні новини коротко
