**Ukraine’s Daring Drone Strike: A Potential Game-Changer in the War with Russia**
In a bold and daring move, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) launched Operation Spiderweb, a drone assault on Russia’s strategic bomber fleet. The operation, which took 18 months to plan, targeted four airfields deep inside Russian territory, striking 41 aircraft and inflicting an estimated $7 billion in damage.
The targeted air bases reportedly housed Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers, essential carriers of long-range cruise missiles used in Moscow’s air strikes on Ukrainian cities. This move is seen as a significant escalation of the war and could provoke unpredictable responses from Moscow, according to U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg.
“I’m telling you the risk levels are going way up,” Kellogg said in an interview with Fox News. “When you attack an opponent’s part of their national survival system, which is their nuclear triad, that means your risk level goes up because you don’t know what the other side’s going to do.” The fact that Ukraine was able to launch 117 drones from mobile platforms across Russia, enabling simultaneous strikes on targets located thousands of kilometers from Ukraine’s borders, highlights the growing capabilities of Ukrainian forces.
**A Message from Kyiv**
Kellogg also pointed out that Operation Spiderweb shows that Ukraine “is not lying down” and is capable of playing a more significant role in the conflict. “Ukraine can play this game, too,” he said, adding that the risk levels have gone up to unacceptable levels. This message from Kyiv sends a clear signal that they are willing to take bold action to defend themselves against Russia’s aggression.
**Russian Silence and International Reactions**
Despite the scale and strategic implications of the Ukrainian operation, Russian President Vladimir Putin has not publicly addressed the strike. U.S. President Donald Trump also remained silent on the matter, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that Trump was not informed in advance about the operation.
While some might view this silence as a sign of weakness, it’s essential to remember that both Russia and the United States have been involved in diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the conflict. The fact that Trump wants “this war to stop” suggests that there is still room for diplomacy and negotiation.
**The Implications of Operation Spiderweb**
Operation Spiderweb marks one of the most sophisticated and far-reaching Ukrainian operations since the start of the full-scale war in 2022. The impact on Russia’s strategic air capabilities remains unverified, but the estimated $7 billion in damage suggests that Ukraine has dealt a significant blow to their opponent.
The real significance of Operation Spiderweb lies not only in its military impact but also in its psychological and diplomatic implications. It sends a clear message from Kyiv that they are willing to take bold action to defend themselves and can no longer be ignored as a force to be reckoned with. As the world watches, the risk levels have indeed gone up, and it remains to be seen how Russia will respond.
**What’s Next?**
As tensions rise and the stakes grow higher, it’s essential to remember that Ukraine is not alone in this conflict. The international community must continue to support Kyiv and help bring an end to this senseless war. As Kellogg said, “The one that really concerned me was the fact that there have been reports that they attacked the naval, the Northern Fleet headquarters in Severomorsk.”
While we wait for more information on this incident, it’s clear that Operation Spiderweb marks a new chapter in Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression.
