Ukraine escalates the possiility of a nuclear war; Zelensky celebrates.
Ukraine Says It Has Hit Over 40 Russian
Military Aircraft in Mass Drone Attack
EuroNews
(June 1, 2025) — An operation by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) on Sunday hit 41 military aircraft, among them various types of strategic bombers that were lined up at four airfields inside Russia.
“Enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia,” an official with the SBU said, adding that Ukraine was conducting “a large scale special operation aimed at destroying enemy bomber aircraft.”
The operation, dubbed Spiderweb (“Pavutyna”), targeted four airfields: Dyagilevo in Riazan region, Ivanovo in Ivanovo region, Belaya air base in Russia’s Irkutsk region, which is located in south-eastern Siberia over 4,000km east of the frontline, and Olenya air base in Russia’s Murmansk region, some 2,000km away from Ukraine’s border.
It included the clandestine smuggling of drones deep into Russian territory, hiding them and finally launching them remotely.
Russia’s Defence Ministry confirmed the attacks in a statement, as did the governors of Murmansk and Irkutsk. Murmansk Governor Andrei Chibis said “security measures have been strengthened.”
In March, Ukraine announced it had developed a new type of drone that can reach a range of up to 3,000 kilometres, but gave no details about its type or the size of its warhead.
Recent satellite images show various Russian strategic bombers at the four bases that were allegedly hit during the operation, including Tu-95, Tu-22M3, Tu-160 and A-50.
Tu-95, Tu-22 and Tu-160 are Russian heavy bombers regularly used by Moscow to launch missiles at Ukraine.
The Tu-22M3 is capable of carrying Kh-22 and Kh-32 cruise missiles, travelling at a speed of 4,000 km/h, exceeding Mach 4.
Tu-95 — the oldest among them — is a Soviet-era plane, originally used to carry nuclear bombs but since modified to launch cruise missiles.
A-50 is a radar detection aircraft, which can detect air defence systems, guided missiles, and coordinate targets for Russian fighter jets.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that he was meeting with the Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs, as well as the General Staff and the SBU
“We are doing everything to protect our independence, our state and our people,” Zelenskyy said.
He would be outlining “tasks for the near term” and will “define our positions ahead of the meeting in Istanbul on Monday,” Zelenskyy added.
Ukrainian and Russian officials are scheduled to meet in Istanbul on Monday for the second round of talks between the two sides.
Zelenskyy said Kyiv’s utmost priority is an unconditional ceasefire, followed by the release of prisoners and the return of Ukrainian children who Russia forcefully deported.
Comments
Steve S — A comprehensive drone attack on 4 Russian military bases, called “Operation Spiderweb”, was carried out on June 1, 2025. The operation involved coordinated drone strikes launched within Russian territory from mobile trucks, targeting multiple Russian air bases: Belaya, Dyagilevo, Ivanovo Severny, Olenya, and Voskresensk. According to the SBU, these strikes hit over 40 Russian military aircraft. All 4 bases house Russian strategic nuclear assets, and it is highly likely that NATO member states were involved in at least the planning of the attack.
Under recently revised Russian nuclear doctrine, such an attack justifies a Russian nuclear response against any nuclear-armed NATO member states that assisted. Russia revised its nuclear doctrine shortly after it suffered drone attacks on 3 of its 10 strategic nuclear Early Warning Radar facilities.
Operation Spiderweb was carried out despite the publication of the revised Russian nuclear doctrine. NATO continues to play nuclear chicken with Russia. Russian military planners will see this as preparation for a nuclear attack on Russia.
US military and intelligence, likely assisted by the CIA and MI-6, was definitely used in the attempted assassination of Putin 6 days ago, when Putin’s helicopter was attacked by a drone swarm over the Kursk region of Russia.
When questioned by a reporter, Trump appeared to be unaware of the assassination attempt several days after the attempt happened. I doubt that Trump was aware of Operation Spiderweb. In other words, the US military and intelligence agencies are conducting covert operations that could likely start a nuclear war without the knowledge of the president.
Wikipedia has just posted a description of Operation Spiderweb. An op-ed by Scott Ritter describes Operation Spiderweb and warns that the US and NATO are on the verge of nuclear war with Russia.
Don S — I wonder if the drone attack will prompt the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists to advance the Doomsday Clock. Apparently, they haven’t updated the setting since Jan 28, 2025.
I also wonder how the US would react if Russian proxy forces bombed air bases inside the continental US. I considered asking my member of Congress that question, but I’m sure he’d respond dismissively.
Either (1) the attack will prompt Russia to compromise in its negotiations, or (2) they will escalate attacks. Neocons and their numerous allies must be gleeful.
Alice S — Thanks a million for posting this critical information Steve. Without knowing these events occurred BEfORE Putin’s massive retaliation on Kiev, none of us are dealing with a full deck and continue to characterize Putin as the root of all evil instead of looking at the mote in our own blind eyes!!
