**Russia’s Nuclear Deterrents Unfazed by Ukraine’s Drone Strikes**
The recent drone attacks on Russian military airfields have not significantly impacted Russia’s nuclear deterrence capabilities, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. The comments come just days after Ukraine launched a coordinated attack, dubbed Operation Spiderweb, which targeted at least four major Russian air bases.
Ryabkov claimed that the extent of the damage from the attacks has been “greatly exaggerated” and that none of Russia’s strategic forces were weakened. This assertion contradicts earlier reports, which suggested that dozens of aircraft, including strategic bombers and airborne early warning planes, had been damaged or destroyed in the attack.
The Operation Spiderweb was a meticulously planned operation carried out by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) over an 18-month period. It is believed to have disabled or destroyed a significant portion of Russia’s long-range bomber fleet. Ukraine claims that the operation damaged 41 aircraft and disabled up to 34% of Russia’s strategic bombers.
**Independent Satellite Imagery Confirms Destruction**
Satellite imagery has confirmed destruction or damage at several sites, including multiple Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 bombers at the Belaya air base. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on June 4 that nearly half of the planes hit in the attack are impossible to repair. NATO estimates that between 10 and 13 Russian planes were completely destroyed, with more being damaged.
**Russia’s Nuclear Threats Remain**
Despite the damage caused by Ukraine’s drone strikes, Russia has continued to issue nuclear threats against Ukraine and Western countries since launching its full-scale invasion in February 2022. These threats have not materialized, as Russia continues to wage war.
Ryabkov’s comments on June 11 suggest that Russia’s nuclear deterrence capabilities remain unscathed. However, the extent of the damage from the Operation Spiderweb attack remains a matter of debate. While Ryabkov claimed that all damaged aircraft can be put back into service, Ukraine and NATO estimates contradict this assertion.
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