Kremlin Vows Retaliation After Ukraine Airbase Strikes
Moscow declares it will determine timing and method of response following major drone offensive
Following a 75-minute telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, the Kremlin has announced it will determine the manner and timing of its retaliation against Ukraine’s airbase assault.
Ukraine executed a significant drone offensive against Russian territory last week through what it termed ‘Operation Spider’s Web’, which specifically targeted military aviation facilities and aircraft installations throughout Russia.
During Wednesday’s call with Trump, Putin emphasized Moscow’s intention to strike back against Ukraine’s attack. Trump detailed the conversation on Truth Social, writing: “President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields.”
“The call lasted approximately one hour and 15 minutes. We discussed the attack on Russia’s docked airplanes by Ukraine, and also various other attacks that have been taking place by both sides. It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace. President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields,” Trump posted on the platform.
The Kremlin’s retaliatory intentions were verified by AFP, which reported that Moscow confirmed the response would occur “as and when our military deems it appropriate.”
Understanding Ukraine’s Operation Spider’s Web
Operation Spider’s Web represented a clandestine drone campaign executed by Ukraine during its ongoing conflict with Russia. The extensive drone assault on June 1 was conducted by the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), with unmanned aircraft launched across Russian territory to strike critical aviation bases and military aircraft.
According to the SBU, the operation successfully eliminated over 40 Russian bomber aircraft that are “regularly” deployed in attacks against Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that the operation required 18 months and nine days of planning and preparation before execution.
Russian Counter-Strikes Target Ukraine
Within hours of the Trump-Putin telephone discussion, Russian attacks on Ukraine resulted in at least five fatalities. An AP report indicated that six Russian drones struck a residential district in the Ukrainian city of Pyluky, claiming five lives, including a one-year-old infant.
According to Zelensky, a total of 103 drones and one ballistic missile struck multiple Ukrainian territories during overnight attacks, affecting the regions of Donetsk, Kharkiv, Odessa, Sumy, Chernihiv, Dnipro and Kherson.
(With inputs from AFP)