**US Officials Expect Russia to Launch Major Retaliation Against Ukraine**
The United States believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s full response to Ukraine’s daring drone attack against Russia’s strategic bomber fleet is still pending, and it could be a significant and multi-faceted assault. This warning comes from unnamed US officials, who spoke to Reuters on June 7.
**Ukraine’s Daring Drone Assault**
On June 1, Ukraine launched the “Operation Spiderweb,” involving 117 drones that reportedly hit up to 20 warplanes in Russia. According to US officials, 10 of these planes were likely destroyed. This bold move by Ukraine has prompted a strong response from Russia.
**Russia’s Initial Response**
Russia retaliated on June 6 with over 400 explosive drones and 45 missiles targeting Ukrainian civilian areas. This is an unusual show of force, as Russia typically only fires such a large number of missiles once a month due to depleted reserves and limited production. While this may seem like a massive response, it’s essential to note that Russia regularly deploys hundreds of long-range drones daily.
**Western Officials’ Misconception**
The context provided by the Western officials cited by Reuters seems at odds with reality. They suggest that Russia needed an excuse for its retaliatory action, but in truth, Russia has been engaging in routine aerial aggression against Ukraine for some time now. This implies that the officials have inadvertently accepted Russia’s narrative and treated its actions as a response to Ukraine’s drone attack.
**US Officials Warn of Another Major Strike**
Reuters reported that US officials stated on condition of anonymity that Russia’s massive missile and drone barrage on June 6 was only part of a broader retaliatory plan. They anticipate another, potentially even more severe strike in the coming days. One official claimed that this attack would be “asymmetrical,” meaning it wouldn’t directly mirror Ukraine’s drone assault.
**Timing and Targets Unknown**
The timing and targets of this complete response remain uncertain. However, one source told Reuters that the expected attack could occur within days. A Western diplomatic source suggested that key targets may include symbolic Ukrainian sites, such as government buildings, in an effort to send a strong message to Kyiv.
**Western Diplomats Foresee Intensified Russian Assault**
A Western diplomatic source described the expected attack as “huge, vicious and unrelenting,” but also praised the bravery of the Ukrainians. Another senior diplomat echoed this sentiment, warning that the assault is likely to intensify.
**Analysts Speculate on Potential Targets**
According to Reuters, Michael Kofman, a Russia analyst at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, speculated that Moscow might focus its retaliation on Ukraine’s domestic security agency (the SBU), which was behind the Operation Spiderweb, or regional intelligence buildings. He also mentioned that Russia could use intermediate-range ballistic missiles to deliver a powerful message and possibly strike Ukrainian defense manufacturing sites.
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