Vladimir Putin during a visit to the Russian Air Force centre in Tver. Photo: Mikhail Metszel / AFP
The United States expects a full-fledged Russian response to last weekend’s large-scale Ukrainian drone attack to be forthcoming. According to Reuters, citing US officials, the Kremlin is likely preparing a “significant, complex and brutal” operation that could begin within days.
According to senior US officials, Moscow’s strike is likely to be asymmetrical – that is, it will not mirror Ukraine’s attack. The strikes could be carried out using a variety of weapons, including missiles and drones. One possible target is the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), which is believed to be involved in the operation.
At the same time, the US and Western diplomats believe that strikes could be directed not only at military facilities, but also at symbolic targets, such as government buildings or command centres. One European diplomat described the Kremlin’s possible operation as “huge, brutal and ruthless”, but added that Ukrainians are showing resilience.
U.S. intelligence also indicates that Russia could use intermediate-range missiles. Nevertheless, analysts, including Michael Coffman of the Carnegie Endowment, believe that Russia’s ability to significantly increase its strikes is limited due to the already significant strain on its armed forces.
The attack, which provoked Moscow’s expected response, was dubbed Operation Web. Ukrainian drones, of which there were more than 100, penetrated deep into Russian territory and hit, according to Western sources, up to 20 military aircraft, of which about 10 were destroyed. These were Tu-95 and Tu-22M strategic bombers, some of which are capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
Despite the official denial of losses, Russian military bloggers confirm serious damage, which has dealt a significant symbolic blow to Russian aviation and prestige.
US President Donald Trump, who, according to him, spoke to Putin on the phone, said: “He’s going to have to answer… But I told him, don’t do it”.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the Russian army will decide “when and how” to respond to the attack on its air bases.
