On June 1, Ukraine launched a significant drone attack targeting Russian military airbases, marking one of the largest such operations since the war began. The coordinated assault struck airfields across five regions, including the Belaya airbase in Irkutsk, over 4,300 km from Ukraine, and the Olenya base in Murmansk, damaging or destroying over 40 Russian aircraft, including strategic bombers. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) executed the operation, codenamed “Spider’s Web,” using drones hidden in trucks driven deep into Russian territory. The attack, which caused an estimated $7 billion in damage, was personally overseen by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and aimed to disrupt Russia’s strategic aviation capabilities ahead of peace talks in Istanbul.
On President Zelenskyy’s official government website, he offers a captivating glimpse into the operation. I’m confident he wouldn’t object to us sharing the transcript:
A Brilliant Operation Was Carried Out on Enemy Territory, Aimed Exclusively at Military Targets – Address by the President
I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!
Just now, I received a report from Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk – a brilliant operation was carried out. It took place on enemy territory and was aimed exclusively at military targets – specifically, the equipment used in strikes against Ukraine. Russia suffered truly significant losses – entirely justified and deserved. I thank the Security Service, General Maliuk personally, as well as everyone who was involved in the operation. The preparation took over a year and a half. Planning, organization, every detail was perfectly executed. I can say with certainty that this is an absolutely unique operation. What’s most interesting – and this can now be stated publicly – is that the “office” of our operation on Russian territory was located directly next to FSB headquarters in one of their regions. In total, 117 drones were used in the operation – with a corresponding number of drone operators involved. 34% of the strategic cruise missile carriers stationed at air bases were hit. Our personnel operated across multiple Russian regions – in three different time zones. And the people who assisted us were withdrawn from Russian territory before the operation, they are now safe. It is genuinely satisfying when something I authorized a year and six months ago comes to fruition and deprives Russians of over forty units of strategic aviation. We will continue this work.
Even before this operation was carried out, we had intelligence indicating that Russia was preparing another massive strike. And it is very important for all our people not to ignore the air raid alerts. Last night, there were nearly 500 Russian drones, attack drones. Each week, they have been increasing the number of units used per strike. Now, they have also prepared Kalibr missiles launched from naval carriers. We know exactly who we are dealing with. And we will defend ourselves by all means available to us – to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. Not for a single second did we want this war. We offered the Russians a ceasefire. Since March 11, the U.S. proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire has been on the table. It was the Russians who chose to continue the war – even under conditions where the entire world is calling for an end to the killing. And pressure is truly needed – pressure on Russia that should bring it back to reality. Pressure through sanctions. Pressure from our forces. Pressure through diplomacy. All of it must work together.
Today, I held an extended meeting with the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Head of my Office, the heads of our intelligence agencies, and military leadership. We discussed our expectations for the meeting in Istanbul on Monday. We continue to propose a full and unconditional ceasefire, along with all dignified and rational steps that could lead to a lasting and reliable peace. The Ukrainian proposal we presented to the Russians is logical and realistic. The Russians have not shared their “memorandum” with anyone – we don’t have it, the Turkish side doesn’t have it, and the American side doesn’t have the Russian document either. Despite this, we will attempt to achieve at least some progress on the path toward peace.
Today, I also received a report from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi – on the situation at the front and on our Kursk operation. I am grateful to all our units. Resilience on the ground is just as important as our operations on enemy territory – operations that truly inspire.
And one more thing. Today, the Russians launched a missile strike on a military training facility in the Dnipro region. Unfortunately, there are casualties. Our servicemen were killed. My condolences to all their families and friends. This is not the first such attack when Ukraine loses people. I have scheduled a meeting – with the participation of, among others, Mykhailo Drapatyi, Andrii Hnatov, Oleksandr Syrskyi, and Defense Minister Umerov upon his return from the negotiations in Istanbul – to address this issue in detail. All our fighters are needed on the front line – defending Ukraine. Every one of them. And every life must be protected. All necessary decisions to that end will be made.
I thank everyone who is helping. I thank everyone who stands with Ukraine.
Glory to Ukraine!
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Despite the efforts of fascist alliance of Trump and Putin, Ukraine continues to show that it is willing to resist Russia’s expansionist.
Zelensky’s address provides extraordinary insight into the depth of strategy and planning of this particular operation that, it should be noted, comes mere days after the UK and several EU countries lifted embargoes on using materiel they provide Ukraine, from being used in/on Russian soil, though at this stage it appears the drones used are Ukrainian made.
Yes, the drones are Ukranian made and incredibly cheap compared to the intercontinental ballistic missile systems that Hegseth and Trump are trying to sell in our region.
It doesn’t disturb you that this little – from the western deep state remote-controlled clown – starts WW III.??
Be educated:
The illegal Zelensky-regime are the real fascists, committing genocide on the russian populance in the Donbass since decades, together with the western war-mongers who can salvage their imperialistic megalomaniac powers and worthless fiat-dollar only by inciting global disaster.
If it wouldn’t be for Putins cool, controlled manner and knowledge of western character (or lack of) you’d be walking in CBR suits!
Jamie, are you aware that there was United Nations investigation into the deaths in Donbass during the civil war?
My summary of the findings- there were approximately 14000 deaths, comprising-
• 6500 members of armed militia (mainly Russia backed separatists)
• 4500 members of the Ukrainian military
• 3000 civilians that were split between areas occupied by separatists and those under Ukrainian control
• 300 civilians died on a civilian aircraft that was shot down by Russian backed separatists who used Russian supplied missiles
°°°°°°°
By the way, a challenge I often provide to Putin supporters is to find a definition of fascism that doesn’t describe the Putin regime.
@ A Commentator.
1. Western dominated UN-Investigations worth squat.
2. A number of independent journos went in the Donbass and confirmed (on film) the violent repressions by Kyiv’s Nazi mercenaries. The existence and deeds of those thugs are recently admitted by Europe.
To your last lines:
Von der Leyen proclaimed: “Ukraine is a paradigm of democracy will enrich our values of the EU”! Such cynical insane remarks about a corrupt puppet dictator who rules illegitimately and sends millions of his citizens into death and misery for his own survival. These words from the head of the EU and representative view of many western “democratic” leaders – who by the way don’t hold themselves no majority mandate, s.a. Macron and Merz – echos rather Goebbels rhetoric than that of modern moral states.
Look for fascism in your own society – but not on your government networks, Sir
And something else: Same as Hitler was born under the conference tables of Versailles, so emerged Russia in Teheran and Yalta under the stupidity of FDR and Churchill to hand that butcher Stalin half of the world, causing every east-west crisis ever since.
Cheers
Even the late Pope said Ukrain, the USA and Nato started the war with Russia. also Look up “Nato will not move one inch to the east”
1/. It’s always a tactic of the pro Putin brigade to dismiss independent investigation.
2/. The “no further east” comment was a verbal commitment°° to the Soviet Union, not to Russia. A number of former countries of the Soviet Union have sought to release NATO from it. Which is their right as they decided Russia is an unreliable neighbour.
The pro Putin brigade is often unaware that Putin has previously said “Ukraine joining NATO is a matter for Ukraine and NATO “
There was no qualification, no threat, only ambivalence.
(°°note- as I said, an unsigned verbal exchange, unlike the Budapest Memorandum, which Russia signed and guaranteed Ukrainian sovereignty)
Would that be the same Budapest Memorandum that was breached by the US, UK and Ukraine?
Will Vlad the Impaler be pissed off enough to light the touch paper on a so called battlefield nuke?
Unfortunately Harry, a lot of people in important positions are gambling on that not happening.
We are governed by fools.
I would be surprised and disappointed if AIMN published a blatant propaganda piece from the Kremlin, and the same applies in this case.
The US site The War Zone states today — According to an initial statement from the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff, the drones hit 41 aircraft. As of today, those claims have been reassessed, with Andriy Kovalenko, an official with Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, saying that “at least 13 Russian aircraft were destroyed.”