**Ukraine’s Drone Strike: A Turning Point in the War with Russia?**
In a bold move, Ukraine launched Operation Spiderweb, a daring drone strike that targeted Russian military aircraft on June 1. According to the Ukrainian security service (SBU), more than 40 Russian heavy bombers were hit at four key airfields across the country.
The claims made by the SBU are staggering. The operation allegedly caused approximately $7 billion in damage and disabled one-third of Russia’s cruise missile bombers. However, U.S. officials told Reuters that Ukraine struck around 20 Russian military aircraft, destroying about 10 of them. This discrepancy raises questions about the accuracy of both reports.
**Footage Released by SBU**
The SBU released new footage from Operation Spiderweb on June 4, showing targeted strikes on Russian strategic aircraft across multiple airfields. While the footage is chilling and gives a glimpse into the bravery of Ukrainian forces, it’s unclear how many aircraft were destroyed.
**Trump’s Response**
U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 4, during which Putin warned that Russia would have to respond to the attack. Trump described the conversation as “good” but not likely to lead to immediate peace. His Special Envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, expressed concerns about potential escalations in the full-scale war.
“The risk levels are going way up,” Kellogg said. “When you attack an opponent’s part of their national survival system, that means your risk level goes up because you don’t know what the other side’s going to do.”
**Context and Implications**
The drone strike follows several days of Russian escalation, including some of the heaviest aerial attacks in the full-scale war. Operation Spiderweb targeted some of the very bombers that rained destruction on Ukrainian cities and civilian targets.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine would not have carried out the operation if Russia had agreed to a ceasefire. The attack could be seen as a bold move by Ukraine to disrupt Russia’s military capabilities, but it also increases the risk of further escalation in the war.
**What’s Next?**
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is certain: Operation Spiderweb has sent shockwaves through the international community and raised the stakes in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Will this daring move by Ukraine lead to a turning point in the war, or will it escalate tensions further?
Only time will tell, but one thing is clear – the world is watching with bated breath as this complex and volatile situation continues to unfold.
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