**US President Trump Not Informed of Ukraine’s Drone Strike on Russian Bombers**
In a surprising move, the White House confirmed that US President Donald Trump was not informed in advance about Operation Spiderweb, a massive drone strike by Ukraine against over 40 Russian bombers. The news came as a surprise to many, especially given the significant impact of the attack.
**Ukraine’s Secret Drone Strike**
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) had smuggled first-person-view (FPV) drones deep within Russia to coordinate attacks against four key air bases on June 1. This was not the first time Ukraine has launched a major attack against Russia without informing their American counterparts, with The New York Times reporting in March that US officials were caught off guard by Ukraine’s sinking of the Moskva, the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.
**White House Press Secretary Speaks Out**
During a White House press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked whether Trump was informed by Ukraine about Operation Spiderweb in advance. She confirmed that he was not briefed ahead of the operation, stating, “He was not.” When asked about Trump’s view on the matter, Leavitt noted that he wants the war in Ukraine to end and praised his efforts as a peacemaker.
**Trump’s Silence on Operation Spiderweb**
The White House Press Secretary was also questioned about Trump’s silence on the operation. While she declined to directly answer whether Trump supports efforts by congressional Republicans to impose harsher sanctions against Russia, she noted that lawmakers would take their cues from the president and trust his judgment as commander-in-chief.
**Implications for US Security**
Leavitt also stated that US defense officials are looking into the implications of Operation Spiderweb for US security and are working to ensure American aircraft are protected from the risks of internal drone strikes. She hinted that Trump may take “some executive action” regarding the matter in the near future.
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