This is not an unexpected move. In Russia, we even have an established phrase that refers to the common situation of hurting own citizens under the pretext of imposing sanctions on foreign powers
Out of curiosity - what is this phrase? "Ни себе, ни людям" - (lit: "Not for one self, not for the people"), "Собака на сене" ("Dog on the hay"), "Напугали ежа голой задницей" ("Scare the hedgehog with the bare butt") or is it something more specific to the situation?
In the case of sanctions or other similar political action - "бомбить Воронеж" - "bombing Voronezh"
This phrase seems like a WW2 reference as Voronezh was the site of a great battle. Care to elaborate on the context/origin?