---
title: "UMD Expert: Putin’s ‘Cakewalk’ Illusion in Ukraine Gave Way to Attacks on Civilians"
date: 2022-04-21T05:30:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/umd-expert-putins-cakewalk-illusion-in-ukraine-gave-way-to-attacks-on-civilians"
section: Articles
---
# UMD Expert: Putin’s ‘Cakewalk’ Illusion in Ukraine Gave Way to Attacks on Civilians

*April 21, 2022* — by [Liam Farrell](/author/liam-farrell)


> Psychology Professor Expects Leader to Double Down in Face of Ukrainian Resolve

*Getty Images 1240108108 1920x1080 — Residents walk amid debris of their destroyed houses in the village of Moshchun, northwest of Kyiv, on Wednesday. Such targeting of defenseless civilians may stem in part from an urge by Russian troops to regain a sense of power and significance after meeting defeat at the hands of Ukrainian forces, according to a UMD psychology researcher who studies extremism.*

In the almost two months since the Russian invasion of Ukraine shook the post-World War II international order, mainstream media and social networks have given the world an unprecedented view of the ongoing horrors and tragedy—not to mention the relentless propaganda campaigns—that accompany modern warfare.


*Arie Kruglanski headshot*




**Topics:** [Research](https://today.umd.edu/tags/research)


**Tags:** [Psychology](https://today.umd.edu/topic/psychology), [War in Ukraine](https://today.umd.edu/topic/war-in-ukraine), [Research](https://today.umd.edu/topic/research)


**Units:** [College of Behavioral and Social Sciences](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-behavioral-and-social-sciences)