Ukraine Strikes Back: Unverified Drone Attacks Claim $7 Billion in Russian Military Assets
In a bold move that could shift the dynamics of the ongoing war, Ukraine claimed on June 1 that it had severely damaged Russian aircraft valued at an astounding $7 billion. This operation targeted four airbases located thousands of miles from the front lines, and was showcased through unverified video footage depicting aircraft engulfed in flames and black smoke.
According to a source within Ukraine's Security Services (SBU), the strikes successfully hit 41 planes that had been used to bomb Ukrainian villages. The attack utilized drones cleverly concealed in transportation containers, which were strategically released to initiate the assault.
As the conflict continues into its third year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that a delegation would be sent to Istanbul for talks with Russian officials, signifying a potential diplomatic effort amidst hostilities. Led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, the Ukrainian delegation aims to discuss terms for a complete and unconditional ceasefire, as well as the return of prisoners and abducted children. Previous ceasefire proposals from Ukraine have been rejected by Russia, which has its own peace terms but has not disclosed them publicly.
Dubbed Operation Spiders Web, Zelensky hailed the attack as a remarkable success, claiming it was the most sophisticated long-range operation Ukraine had executed in over three years of conflict. The operation reportedly involved 117 drones. Russia's defense ministry acknowledged on Telegram that some of its military aircraft had caught fire during the strikes, but claimed there were no casualties.
The Telegram channel Rybar, which is known to be close to the Russian military, characterized the incident as a significant setback for Moscow, highlighting what it referred to as major oversights by Russian intelligence. The SBU source confirmed that the operation was meticulously prepared over a year and a half, specifically targeting Russian airbases located in eastern Siberia, the Arctic region near Finland, and areas east of Moscow.
Interestingly, one of the targeted locations was situated adjacent to a Russian security services (FSB) office. This represented a notable escalation, marking the first instance of such an attack within Siberia. Russian officials, including Igor Kobzev, the governor of the Irkutsk region, called for calm among the population and shared footage allegedly showing a drone amidst a cloud of smoke.
In the context of drone warfare, Russia has consistently reported on Ukrainian attacks, often claiming to have intercepted and neutralized them. However, on the same day of the Ukrainian strike, Russia launched its most significant drone assault since the war’s inception, targeting Ukraine with 472 drones and seven missiles, significantly increasing the conflict's intensity.
In a rare acknowledgment of military casualties, the Ukrainian army confirmed that a recent Russian missile strike on a training base resulted in the deaths of 12 soldiers and injuries to over 60 others. The tragedy prompted Ukrainian ground forces commander Mykhailo Drapaty to resign, accepting responsibility for the losses. Concurrently, the Russian military reported capturing another village in Ukraine's northern Sumy region, raising concerns about a potential renewed ground offensive by Moscow.
As the situation continues to evolve, both nations find themselves entrenched in a cycle of military and diplomatic maneuvers, with the stakes growing ever higher for the region's stability.
Related Sources: