Why this new Ukraine pact is a war-game changer for Australia

September 22, 2026 — 5:00am

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When Russia sent its first cruise missiles slamming into Kyiv and its mighty convoy roared toward the Ukrainian capital, the Western world expected that it would fall under Moscow’s control within three days. Some commentators described it as a David versus Goliath contest which David was sure to lose. They had forgotten the moral of the Old Testament story.

Yes, David was just a boy with a slingshot against a heavily armed warrior standing nine feet and nine inches tall. But with courage, good aim and a righteous cause, David killed the towering Philistine.

Ukraine not only has survived four-and-a-half years of Russian onslaught; it now has the advantage over its giant neighbour.

“Ukraine has had strategic momentum for the last six months,” the Australian retired major general Mick Ryan, a close student of the war, tells me. “Its strike campaign is hurting Russia, and it’s hurting Russia’s reputation.”

The extraordinary reversal of odds was demonstrated anew on the weekend; drones struck a Moscow oil refinery just 25 kilometres from the Kremlin. The refinery was left in flames. Ukraine is bringing the war right into Vladimir Putin’s capital.

To reach their target, Ukraine’s drones had to travel over 3000 kilometres and penetrate one of the most intensely protected air defence zones in the world. Moscow’s mayor said it was the biggest attack on his city yet, with some 450 Ukrainian drones intercepted.

The attack was timed to punctuate the third and final day of voting in Russia’s parliamentary election.

The election outcome in........

© Brisbane Times