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Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
US expects Russia's retaliation for Operation Spiderweb to continue soon
The U.S. believes Russia has not yet fully responded to Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb and may soon launch another large-scale, multi-pronged strike following the massive June 6 attack, Reuters reported on June 8, citing unnamed U.S. officials. One official told Reuters that, while the timing remains unclear, a retaliatory strike could be expected in the coming days and is likely to be "asymmetrical." Another U.S. source said Russia would likely employ missiles and drones to hit a combination of targets. The U.S. assessment follows the June 1 attack by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) on four Russian air bases using drones launched from trucks concealed within Russian territory. Kyiv's operation reportedly damaged 41 aircraft, including Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers — two of Russia's primary platforms for missile attacks against Ukraine. The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the number of aircraft hit. At least 21 planes were damaged or destroyed, according to open-source intelligence analysts. A Western diplomatic source told the outlet that the Kremlin's response could focus on high-value government sites, such as administrative buildings or intelligence facilities. Michael Kofman, a military analyst with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, suggested Moscow may aim medium-range ballistic missiles at headquarters belonging to the SBU, which organized the operation. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us On June 6, Russia launched one of its most intense aerial barrages of the full-scale war, firing 452 drones and 45 missiles at Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, according to the Air Force. The attack was likely part of Russia's response to Operation Spiderweb. At least four civilians were killed, including emergency service workers, and 80 others were injured in the overnight assault, President Volodymyr Zelensky reported. The June 6 strikes followed a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump on June 4, during which Putin reportedly vowed to retaliate against the Ukrainian drone operation. U.S. officials say Moscow's June 6 barrage may not be the full extent of its response. Russia has carried out near-nightly air assaults in recent weeks, several of which predated Spiderweb, making it difficult to separate a targeted reprisal from Russia's ongoing campaign of attrition. Shortly after the June 6 Russian attack, Trump seemed to justify the aggression against Ukrainian cities that was launched in response to Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb. "They gave Putin a reason to go in and bomb the hell out of them last night," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on June 6. Read also: Ukrainian drone strikes Russian Tu-22 bomber: SBU releases new footage of Operation Spiderweb We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russian retaliation for Ukraine's Operation Spider's Web yet to come, US officials say
The United States believes Moscow is preparing a significant retaliation for Ukraine's Operation Spider's Web, which destroyed or damaged dozens of Russian strategic aircraft at their home bases. Source: Reuters, as reported by European Pravda Details: US officials, speaking anonymously to Reuters, said Russia's "retaliation" for the Security Service of Ukraine-led operation is still forthcoming, despite Moscow claiming Friday's large-scale air attack as a response. One official noted the timing of a potential strike is uncertain but could occur "within days" and be "asymmetrical", differing from Ukraine's operation. Another suggested it would likely involve a combined air attack using various weapons. A Western diplomatic source indicated that, while Russia's response may have begun with recent strikes, an escalation targeting symbolic Ukrainian sites, such as government buildings, is expected. Michael Kofman, an expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, commented that Russia's capacity for significant escalation is limited, given its current military commitments in Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
The Sun
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Putin plotting to blitz Ukraine with ‘vicious & unrelenting' revenge strike in days after Op Spiderweb, US insiders warn
VLADIMIR Putin is preparing a "huge, vicious and unrelenting" revenge assault on Ukraine just days after Operation Spiderweb, U.S. and Western officials have warned. Insiders said the Kremlin's full-scale retaliation for last week's stunning drone blitz on four key Russian airbases hasn't yet materialized - but it is coming very soon. 12 12 12 The revenge strike will be "asymmetrical" and likely to feature a mix of drones and missiles aimed at symbolic Ukrainian targets - not just military assets, one U.S. official told Reuters. Another said the operation could begin within days. A senior Western diplomat added: "It will be huge, vicious and unrelenting. "But the Ukrainians are brave people." On Friday, Russia unleashed a fierce missile and drone barrage on Kyiv, killing at least six and injuring over 80, but American officials say this may only be the beginning. Russia's Defense Ministry called it a response to "terrorist acts" by Ukraine - but insiders say the real retaliation is still being assembled behind the scenes. U.S. officials believe the SBU — Ukraine's security service — may be directly targeted in the revenge strike. Carnegie Endowment analyst Michael Kofman told Reuters: "Most likely, they will attempt to retaliate against (SBU) headquarters, or other regional intelligence administration buildings. "In general, Russia's ability to substantially escalate strikes from what they are already doing — and attempting to do over the past month — is quite constrained." 12 PUTIN'S $7bn HUMILIATION The looming storm follows Operation Spiderweb - Ukraine's most daring covert strike yet. It was led personally by spy chief Vasyl Malyuk under the direct orders of President Volodymyr Zelensky. Over 117 kamikaze drones were launched from hidden mobile units disguised as everyday cargo trucks, slipped undetected into Russian territory. New footage released on Saturday by Ukraine's SBU shows an FPV drone lifting off from a lorry rooftop before smashing directly into a Russian bomber at the Belaya airfield. The strikes hit four strategic bases - Belaya, Dyagilevo, Olenya, and Ivanovo — torching aircraft capable of launching nuclear warheads. Ukrainian officials say 41 planes were destroyed or damaged. U.S. intelligence puts the figure closer to 20, with at least 10 completely destroyed - still a staggering blow to Russia's long-range bomber fleet. The $7billion damage, inflicted with zero boots on the ground, has left the Kremlin tyrant furious and determined to reassert its military dominance. 12 12 'IT'S NOT GOING TO BE PRETTY' President Donald Trump revealed this week that he spoke directly with Putin on Wednesday. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the Russian despot told him "he will have to respond" to the drone attack. Speaking to reporters later, Trump added: "It's probably not going to be pretty. I don't like it. "I said: 'Don't do it. You shouldn't do it. You should stop it.' "But, again, there's a lot of hatred." Meanwhile, Russia's propaganda machine is framing the war as existential. Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declared Friday: "This is about the future of our children, of our country." 12 BLITZ ALREADY UNDERWAY? While officials say the major strike is still to come, Ukraine is already reeling from a brutal few days of missile and drone attacks. On Friday, 400 drones and 45 missiles rained down on cities across the country. In Kyiv, explosions lit up the night sky near the Mother Ukraine monument. A fire tore through the 11th floor of a residential block in Solomyanskyi, and emergency crews rushed to save civilians trapped inside. Overnight into Saturday, Kharkiv suffered Russia's largest airstrike yet, killing three - including a baby and a 14-year-old girl - and wounding 21. 'We have a lot of damage,' Kharkiv's mayor Ihor Terekhov said. At least 18 apartment buildings and 13 homes were hit, with more strikes reported in Donetsk, Dnipro, Ternopil, and Odesa. Ukraine's Air Force said it shot down 174 out of 206 drones and nine missiles overnight. 12 SUMMER OFFENSIVE BREWING Western analysts say Mad Vlad is not just seeking revenge - but a breakthrough. Reports from Ukrainian intelligence suggest up to 125,000 troops are massing near the Sumy and Kharkiv frontiers, with fears of a three-pronged summer assault to finally break the deadlock. The offensive is expected to focus on Kramatorsk, Kostiantynivka, and Pokrovsk in the Donbas - with plans to encircle key cities rather than slug it out street by street. Military analyst Konrad Muzyka told The Telegraph Russia's tactics have evolved: "We have seen the Russians shift to focused, small-unit attacks, often of just three to five men. "Company-size assaults of 50 to 100 men hardly ever happen anymore." But Ukraine, armed with drones and Western weapons, isn't backing down. Zelensky warned this week: "Even after all of Russia's horrific attacks, he is reportedly preparing yet more so-called 'responses.' "With every new strike, with every delay of diplomacy, Russia is giving the finger to the entire world." 12
The Guardian
21 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Ukraine war briefing: Putin yet to retaliate in full force over Operation Spiderweb, officials say
Vladimir Putin's threatened retaliation against Ukraine over its drone attack on Russia's bomber fleet has not happened yet in earnest, despite heavy bombardment of Kharkiv and Kyiv the past two days, and is likely to be a significant, multi-pronged strike soon, US officials have told Reuters. One senior western diplomat anticipated a 'huge, vicious and unrelenting' assault by Moscow. Michael Kofman, a Russia expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said Russia might seek to punish Ukraine's SBU domestic security agency which orchestrated last weekend's assault, possibly employing intermediate-range ballistic missiles, as well as targeting defence manufacturing sites. Still, Kofman suggested Russia's options for retaliation may be limited, as it was already throwing a lot of its military might at Ukraine. 'In general, Russia's ability to substantially escalate strikes from what they are already doing – and attempting to do over the past month – is quite constrained.' The Ukrainian drone attack – called Operation Spiderweb – likely damaged about 10% of Russia's strategic bomber fleet and hit some of the aircraft as they were being prepared for strikes on Ukraine, according to a German military assessment. Maj Gen Christian Freuding told a YouTube podcast that 'more than a dozen aircraft were damaged, TU-95 and TU-22 strategic bombers as well as A-50 surveillance planes'. He said 'only a handful' of the A-50s exist and can now no longer be used for spare parts. Despite the losses, Freuding did not see any immediate reduction of Russian strikes against Ukraine, noting that Moscow retained 90% of its strategic bombers, which can launch ballistic and cruise missiles in addition to dropping bombs. 'But there is, of course, an indirect effect as the remaining planes will need to fly more sorties, meaning they will be worn out faster, and, most importantly, there is a huge psychological impact.' Freuding said Russia had felt safe in its vast territory, which also explained why there was little protection for the aircraft. 'After this successful operation, this no longer holds true. Russia will need to ramp up the security measures.' Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of thwarting a large-scale prisoner exchange that was agreed in the last week, with Kyiv denying Russian allegations that it had indefinitely the postponed prisoner swaps while accusing Moscow of 'playing dirty games'. At talks in Istanbul on Monday, Kyiv and Moscow agreed to release more than 1,000 people on each side, while Russia said it would also hand back the remains of 6,000 killed Ukrainian soldiers. Russia's defence ministry said in a statement: 'The Russian side has provided the Ukrainian side with a list of 640 names, but the Ukrainian side is currently refraining from setting a date for the return of these individuals and the transfer of the corresponding number of Russian prisoners of war.' Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said no date had been agreed for the return of bodies and that a list of names Russia said would be released did not match the terms of the agreement. Andriy Kovalenko, an official with Ukraine's national security and defence council, said 'statements by the Russian side do not correspond to reality'.
Arab News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Israel, it is time to live in peace in the Arab world
Michael Young, an analyst with deep knowledge of the Middle East, on Wednesday summarized the current situation in Gaza for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He wrote: 'For the last 19 months, one of the most powerful armies in the world has been dropping the heaviest ordnance available on areas populated mainly by destitute, homeless civilians, most of them women and children … Israel has destroyed most schools, universities and hospitals in Gaza, and all institutions required to safeguard the territory's social fabric.' Israel's disproportionate and inhumane reaction to the similarly atrocious and unacceptable Hamas attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, has been clear from the beginning. But only now are some of the world's liberal democracies beginning to react and finally push back against Israel's actions. In contrast, the conscience of the world did not require any further convincing as to what Israel's acts constituted from the beginning. The damage to Israel's reputation around the world will be lasting and it will sadly only make life for Israelis and Jews more tense and difficult. In the Arab world, we have lived in despair for the last 19 months, unable, despite our best efforts and without the assistance of the West, to bring Israel to realize not only the inhumanity of its actions but also the lasting damage it has been doing to its own future. The Europeans have finally reacted, announcing on Tuesday that the European Commission would review the EU-Israel Association Agreement governing political and economic relations between the two sides. Article 2 of that agreement spells out that it can be suspended in cases of serious human rights violations. On Monday, France, Canada and the UK also issued a joint statement threatening 'targeted sanctions' and 'concrete actions' should Israel pursue its Gaza offensive, continue to block aid and expand its settlements. The British called the situation 'monstrous,' Israel's escalation of violence in Gaza 'morally unjustifiable' and its withholding of humanitarian aid 'cruel and indefensible.' As fellow Semites, we Arabs oppose antisemitism wherever or whenever it may rear its ugly head. Hassan bin Youssef Yassin In the meantime, in the US, student activism in support of the Palestinian people continues and more students have unjustifiably been expelled or had their diplomas withheld as a result. A student at George Washington University was barred last weekend after her address at a graduation ceremony, while a diploma was withheld from a student at New York University for the same reason. At Columbia University, students protested during a graduation ceremony and burned their diplomas outside. This turn of events is deplorable, in large part because a sensible, open discussion of what is happening in the Middle East has been essentially prohibited in the US. As fellow Semites, we Arabs oppose antisemitism wherever or whenever it may rear its ugly head. Moses is also one of our prophets, we believe in the same God and the same values of compassion and dignity. But in today's world of openness and direct communication, we are all simply humans sharing the same humanity, compassion and respect for each other. As an Arab, I want to extend my hand to every Jew in the world, to my fellow humans with whom I share an age-old tradition and a related faith. Our desire for coexistence must be a permanent struggle within and without. We cannot afford to live in the past, to bear ancient grudges that will only continue to poison all our lives. The Jewish people have suffered tremendously over the centuries and the Middle East has also suffered a great deal from the consequences of European decisions. I would today like to honor and reestablish the profound links that existed between Jews and Arabs living as neighbors. Hassan bin Youssef Yassin I would like to evoke here the long-standing relations of mutual respect between Arabs and Jews in the Middle East that existed for centuries before the establishment of the state of Israel. Not only in Al-Andalus and the shared figure of Maimonides, for centuries Jews and Arabs lived side by side in respect in the Middle East. This diversity was particularly strong in Iraq and Egypt, but also in Yemen and Morocco, where Jews served as important ministers, respected businessmen and even as adulated singers. Many forget that, in the 21st century, a Jewish woman, Houda Ezra Ebrahim Nonoo, served as Bahraini ambassador to the US. Unfortunately, the number of Jews living in Muslim countries has dwindled since the establishment of the state of Israel from 1 million to 30,000, and more than a third left in the three years after 1948. A large number of Egyptian Jews left the country after the 1956 Suez Crisis and many Lebanese Jews left after the 1967 and 1973 wars. I would today like to honor and reestablish the profound links that existed between Jews and Arabs living as neighbors. I believe that we all just want to live in peace together, to see our children grow up in a region of promise and mutual respect. What we need is an atomic bomb of peace, loaded with the firepower of love, to put all this behind us and simply live together in peace. As the conscience of the world has been awakened, it is in Israel's interest to mend fences and stop the madness that can only threaten its own future. The Israeli people, I am sure, are ready to adopt the power of love and decency instead of fanning the fires of hatred that risk turning into a volcano. As an Arab who cares deeply for peaceful coexistence, I call upon us all to grow the tree of life together with the water of love, ensuring that its fruits will be shared by all.
