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Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Is THIS the man behind world's most daring military op? Ex-DJ ‘secret agent' to go down in history for $7bn ‘web' blitz
A self-described 'witch' may have had a hand at destroying Putin's nuclear bombers MEET THE SPIDER Is THIS the man behind world's most daring military op? Ex-DJ 'secret agent' to go down in history for $7bn 'web' blitz VLADIMIR Putin's goons have fingered a Ukrainian ex-DJ as being the spy behind the incredible Operation Spiderweb. The SAS-style strike on Sunday against four airfields deep inside Russia has humiliated the Russian leader and wiped out a third of his nuclear bombers. Advertisement 12 Artem Timofeev and wife Ekaterina Timofeeva Credit: East2West 12 Russian bloggers have pinned Artem as coordinating the attack Credit: East2West 12 Ukrainian drones bombed Russia's nuclear bomber fleet on Sunday Credit: Vitaly Glagola/e2w 12 Desperate to save face, Russian war bloggers have named the man they think ran Ukraine's operation inside the the country as Artem Timofeev. Artem, 37, is a former Ukrainian DJ and is believed by the sleuths to have owned the lorries used to carry the containers to the strikes. Alleged drivers who transported the crates and were tracked down by the bloggers all had similar stories about taking instruction from an "Artem", the Daily Mail reports. They appeared to have thought they were transporting wooden frame houses, but instead they moved kamikaze drones into strike position. Advertisement Read more on world news WEB OF DESTRUCTION Inside Ukraine's SAS-style 'Spiderweb' blitz step by incredible step One pro-Russian blogger said: 'Artem is now wanted in connection with a terrorist attack in Irkutsk region. 'Four lorries were registered in his name, and one of them was the source of the drones that launched [in an attack on a Putin airbase].' Artem's wife Ekaterina Timofeeva, 34, is also suspected to have aided him. According to pro-Kremlin Russian media, Ekaterina describes herself as a 'witch' and is the author of B-list erotic novels. Advertisement A flat in Chelyabinsk has been linked by bloggers to the pair and where Artem was reportedly seen just a week ago. But he is now likely out of the country - with Volodymyr Zelensky saying all those involved with the op had been extracted. Ukraine 'strikes Russian airfields destroying nuke bombers' in massive drone blitz Putin's doomsday bomber fleet is now crippled with 41, or a third, of his most prized aircraft lying in smouldering wrecks on tarmac. The bombers were capable of shooting non-nuclear missiles and bombs and had been terrorising Ukraine doing so. Advertisement Ukraine said the sneak attack was worth $7bn (£5.2bn) in damage to Russia - caused by only 117 cheaply made drones. Ukraine's spies spent 18 months putting the plan into action - targeting five Russian bases. 12 Russia has put out a wanted poster for Artem Credit: East2West 12 Ekaterina is reportedly a self-described 'witch' Credit: East2West Advertisement 12 The pair are now thought to have fled Russia Credit: East2West Russian sources said Artem had moved to the Russian city of Chelyabinsk several years ago and worked as a businessman. In December he is said to have started a haulage business and ran several lorries - the perfect cover to get the drivers to move the crates into position. Zelensky said the drivers were led far away from their vehicles and Russian authorities are yet to announce if they have made any arrests. Advertisement Driver Andrei M is said to have told Russian investigators that he was told to park at a cafe next to Belaya base. Almost as soon as he stopped, the roof was remotely opened and the drones began to fly out. The nondescript shipping containers parked in laybys and verges had attracted little attention. 12 A Russian Tu-95 bomber, pictured moments before it was hit by a Ukrainian drone Credit: East2West Advertisement 12 One of the trucks was caught on video self-destructing Credit: East2West 12 Wrecked Russian planes on a runway Credit: Twitter But on the morning of June 1, their lids blew open and the drone swarms poured out. Russian civilians stood in awe as they saw the drones zoom out of the containers and head in the direction of the airbase. Advertisement Ukraine's kamikaze drones then filmed themselves flying through the airfields and striking down at the planes - destroying them. Hapless Russian soldiers tried to stop the incoming attack with anti-drone guns, but there were simply too many of them. Satellite pictures released following the operation show smouldering wrecks collapsed onto the runways. Thick black smoke climbed high, with civilians near the bases sending video of Ukraine's successes around the world. Advertisement Zelensky touted the operation as "historic" and revealed he had overseen Operation Spiderweb. The valiant leader said: "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." 12 Artem is a Ukrainian national Credit: East2West 12 Ekaterina wrote erotic novels Credit: East2West
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Is THIS the man behind world's most daring military op? Ex-DJ ‘secret agent' to go down in history for $7bn ‘web' blitz
VLADIMIR Putin's goons have fingered a Ukrainian ex-DJ as being the spy behind the incredible Operation Spiderweb. The SAS-style strike on Sunday against 12 Artem Timofeev and wife Ekaterina Timofeeva Credit: East2West 12 Russian bloggers have pinned Artem as coordinating the attack Credit: East2West 12 Ukrainian drones bombed Russia's nuclear bomber fleet on Sunday Credit: Vitaly Glagola/e2w 12 Desperate to save face, Russian war bloggers have named the man they think ran Artem, 37, is a former Ukrainian DJ and is believed by the sleuths to have owned the lorries used to carry the containers to the strikes. Alleged drivers who transported the crates and were tracked down by the bloggers all had similar stories about taking instruction from an "Artem", the They appeared to have thought they were transporting wooden frame houses, but instead they moved kamikaze drones into strike position. Read more on world news One pro-Russian blogger said: 'Artem is now wanted in connection with a terrorist attack in Irkutsk region. 'Four lorries were registered in his name, and one of them was the source of the drones that launched [in an attack on a Putin airbase].' Artem's wife Ekaterina Timofeeva, 34, is also suspected to have aided him. According to pro-Kremlin Russian media, Ekaterina describes herself as a 'witch' and is the author of B-list erotic novels. Most read in The US Sun A flat in Chelyabinsk has been linked by bloggers to the pair and where Artem was reportedly seen just a week ago. But he is now likely out of the country - with Volodymyr Zelensky saying all those involved with the op had been extracted. Ukraine 'strikes Russian airfields destroying nuke bombers' in massive drone blitz Putin's doomsday bomber fleet is now crippled with 41, or a third, of his most prized aircraft lying in smouldering wrecks on tarmac. The bombers were capable of shooting non-nuclear missiles and bombs and had been terrorising Ukraine doing so. Ukraine said the sneak attack was worth $7bn (£5.2bn) in damage to Russia - caused by only 117 cheaply made drones. Ukraine's spies spent 18 months putting the plan into action - targeting five Russian bases. 12 Russia has put out a wanted poster for Artem Credit: East2West 12 Ekaterina is reportedly a self-described 'witch' Credit: East2West 12 The pair are now thought to have fled Russia Credit: East2West Russian sources said Artem had moved to the Russian city of Chelyabinsk several years ago and worked as a businessman. In December he is said to have started a haulage business and ran several lorries - the perfect cover to get the drivers to move the crates into position. Zelensky said the drivers were led far away from their vehicles and Russian authorities are yet to announce if they have made any arrests. Driver Andrei M is said to have told Russian investigators that he was told to park at a cafe next to Belaya base. Almost as soon as he stopped, the roof was remotely opened and the drones began to fly out. The nondescript shipping containers parked in laybys and verges had attracted little attention. 12 A Russian Tu-95 bomber, pictured moments before it was hit by a Ukrainian drone Credit: East2West 12 One of the trucks was caught on video self-destructing Credit: East2West 12 Wrecked Russian planes on a runway Credit: Twitter But on the morning of June 1, their lids blew open and the drone swarms poured out. Russian civilians stood in awe as they saw the drones zoom out of the containers and head in the direction of the airbase. Ukraine's kamikaze drones then filmed themselves flying through the airfields and striking down at the planes - destroying them. Hapless Russian soldiers tried to stop the incoming attack with anti-drone guns, but there were simply too many of them. Satellite pictures released following the operation show smouldering wrecks collapsed onto the runways. Thick black smoke climbed high, with civilians near the bases sending video of Ukraine's successes around the world. Zelensky touted the operation as "historic" and revealed he had overseen Operation Spiderweb. The valiant leader said: "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." 12 Artem is a Ukrainian national Credit: East2West 12 Ekaterina wrote erotic novels Credit: East2West
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Tourist, 28, plunges 50ft to her death from edge of rooftop swimming pool at luxurious villa in Phuket
The unfortunate holidaymaker 'made a misstep' while walking around the edge of the pool HOLS PLUNGE Tourist, 28, plunges 50ft to her death from edge of rooftop swimming pool at luxurious villa in Phuket Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A TOURIST has died after plunging 50ft from the edge of a rooftop swimming pool at a luxurious villa on the Thai island of Phuket. Veronika Kobzova, 28, a Ukrainian circus acrobat, had been relaxing around the pool when she walked to the edge and fell late at night. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Ukrainian circus acrobat Veronika Kobzova, 28, died when she fell from a rooftop pool in Thailand Credit: East2West 5 She had been recently performing around Asia Credit: East2West 5 The acrobat fell about 50ft from the apparently unguarded rooftop pool down into a gulley Credit: East2West The holidaymaker 'made a misstep' and tumbled down into an alley below, according to witnesses. Friends rushed to check on her after she disappeared over the side, but she tragically could not be saved. She was pronounced dead less than an hour after her fall at 3:30am, which inflicted serious 'head and chin' injuries. Veronika was a member of a famous Ukrainian circus family. Her uncle Mykola Kobzov, head of Circus Kobzov, said: 'In a tragic accident, my niece Veronika Kobzova has passed away. 'She fell from a height of 15 metres. 'Young, beautiful, successful — and now such a terrible loss. 'Veronika, we will always remember you. I love you. Our whole family is in mourning.' Pictures appear to show the rooftop pool without any protective barriers. The pool reaches right to the edge of the building, beyond which there is a sheer drop down to a steep gulley with a concrete wall. Horror as influencer, 19, plunges 150ft to her death from parasail after 'unfastening her safety harness during a panic attack' Thai police are reportedly investigating her death, but foul play is not suspected. A Thai report said: 'The blissful rooftop ambiance and the allure of a poolside walk culminated in an unintended peril. 'As her friends watched, her celebration turned to calamity when she misstepped at the edge of the rooftop swimming pool, plunging from the third floor into a narrow alley below.' Veronika was comfortable with heights, with videos showing her pulling off dangerous aerial acts in her performances. The tragic tourist hailed from Nikopol, in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region. She had worked in the circus from the age of 12 - and later starred in the prestigious Cirque du Soleil and the German Roncalli Circus. She also performed in Asia, most frequently China, and recently had been based in Thailand, reports said. Phuket is Thailand's largest island and immensely popular amongst tourists, often as a starting point for trips to surrounding smaller islands. 5 The pool appears not to have any guard rails around it Credit: East2West
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Tourist, 28, plunges 50ft to her death from edge of rooftop swimming pool at luxurious villa in Phuket
A TOURIST has died after plunging 50ft from the edge of a rooftop swimming pool at a luxurious villa on the Thai island of Phuket. Veronika Kobzova, 28, a Ukrainian circus acrobat, had been relaxing around the pool when she walked to the edge and fell late at night. Advertisement 5 Ukrainian circus acrobat Veronika Kobzova, 28, died when she fell from a rooftop pool in Thailand Credit: East2West 5 She had been recently performing around Asia Credit: East2West 5 The acrobat fell about 50ft from the apparently unguarded rooftop pool down into a gulley Credit: East2West The holidaymaker 'made a misstep' and tumbled down into an alley below, according to witnesses. Friends rushed to check on her after she disappeared over the side, but she tragically could not be saved. She was pronounced dead less than an hour after her fall at 3:30am, which inflicted serious 'head and chin' injuries. Veronika was a member of a famous Ukrainian circus family . Advertisement read more in world news Her uncle Mykola Kobzov, head of Circus Kobzov, said: 'In a tragic accident, my niece Veronika Kobzova has passed away. 'She fell from a height of 15 metres. 'Young, beautiful, successful — and now such a terrible loss. 'Veronika, we will always remember you. I love you. Our whole family is in mourning.' Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Breaking Pictures appear to show the rooftop pool without any protective barriers. The pool reaches right to the edge of the building, beyond which there is a sheer drop down to a steep gulley with a concrete wall. Horror as influencer, 19, plunges 150ft to her death from parasail after 'unfastening her safety harness during a panic attack' Thai police are reportedly investigating her death, but foul play is not suspected. A Thai report said: 'The blissful rooftop ambiance and the allure of a poolside walk culminated in an unintended peril. Advertisement 'As her friends watched, her celebration turned to calamity when she misstepped at the edge of the rooftop swimming pool, plunging from the third floor into a narrow alley below.' Veronika was comfortable with heights, with videos showing her pulling off dangerous aerial acts in her performances. The tragic tourist hailed from Nikopol, in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region. She had worked in the circus from the age of 12 - and later starred in the prestigious Cirque du Soleil and the German Roncalli Circus. Advertisement She also performed in Asia, most frequently China, and recently had been based in Thailand , reports said. Phuket is Thailand's largest island and immensely popular amongst tourists, often as a starting point for trips to surrounding smaller islands. 5 The pool appears not to have any guard rails around it Credit: East2West 5 Veronika came from a famous Ukrainian circus family Credit: East2West Advertisement
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Ukraine's SAS-style ‘Spiderweb' blitz step by incredible step: Smuggled drones, booby-trapped crates & a $7bn hammerblow
UKRAINE'S shock sleeper drone blitz on Russia's bomber fleet has delivered a hammer blow to Vladimir Putin's nuclear arsenal. The SAS-style strike against Advertisement 17 17 Ukraine hit bombers at the Russian Belaya Air Base in Irkutsk Credit: East2West 17 Russian locals filmed the drones taking off and attacking the air bases in awe Credit: Unpixs 17 Ukraine released photos of the drones in the crates taken from inside Russia Credit: Unpixs Volodymyr Zelensky oversaw Operation Spiderweb - much like Winston Churchill did as Britain struck deep behind enemy lines. The Ukrainian said: "It's 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." Putin's doomsday bomber fleet is now crippled with 41, or a third, of his most prized aircraft lying in smouldering wrecks on tarmac. Advertisement Read more on world news Ukraine said the sneak attack was worth $7bn (£5.2bn) in damage to Russia - caused by only 117 cheaply made drones. Like Israel's mass pager sabotage against Hezbollah, Kyiv has rewritten the rule book in how to strike the heart of their enemy. Ukraine's spies spent 18 months putting the plan into action and struck on the eve of June 1 also marks the infamous date Ukraine handed back its last nuclear bomb to Russia 26 years ago. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Latest SBU spies targeted five Russian airbases in the daring mission that is continuing Ukraine's pioneering use of drone warfare. Kyiv has now released detailed information about how it evaded Putin's spies and conducted the strike. Dramatic moment Putin's 'war hero' who led slaughter of Mariupol is killed in mysterious suicide bomb attack The drones and the containers were smuggled into Russia separately and were pieced together right under Vlad's nose. Clueless lorry drivers then parked the containers next to Russian airbases - where they sat and waited in plain sight. Advertisement Zelensky said the drivers were led far away from their vehicles - as Ukraine looked to hide those involved being captured and interrogated the FSB. Then, on the morning of June 1, the fleet of flying bombs rose over the far reaches of Russia - and the most daring military operation of the war began. 17 Destroyed Russian bombers could be seen lying on the runway Credit: Twitter 17 Planes could be seen smouldering from miles away following the attack Credit: Unpixs Advertisement 17 Vasyl Maliuk, head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), examining maps of five targeted Russian airbases Credit: East2West Nondescript shipping containers parked in laybys and verges had attracted little attention - before their lids blew open and the drone swarms poured out. Russian civilians stood in awe as they saw the drones zoom out of the containers and head in the direction of the airbase. The craft buzzed as they took off into the air and only had to travel a short distance to their valuable targets. Advertisement Each of the 117 drones had their own dedicated pilot and Russia had no defences to protect their bases and stop them. Drones with cameras sent video back to HQ of the moment craft struck their targets and explosions ripped into the sky. One hapless Russian soldier stationed at an air base recorded himself standing just meters from several burning wrecks. 17 One Russia soldier recorded himself at an airbase following the strike Credit: Twitter Advertisement 17 The soldier then recorded the burning wrecks of planes Credit: Twitter 17 Smoke could be seen from miles away as the planes burned Credit: Svodka38/e2w CCTV recorded other Russia soldiers trying to use anti-drone guns on the craft speeding past - but to no avail. Thick black smoke went high into the sky, with civilians near the bases sending Ukraine's success around the world. Advertisement The furthest strike was Belaya Air Base - so far inside Russia that the closest neighbouring country is Mongolia. Olenya Air Base near Finland and Ivanovo and Dyagilevo near Moscow were also struck in the country's west. Russia's strength - it's size - had become its weakness - with military planners not banking on needing to defend attacks deep inside Siberia, one expert said. Zelensky touted the operation as "historic" and revealed he had overseen Operation Spiderweb. Advertisement The valiant leader said: "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." Planning was so secretive that Donald Trump and the White House - who is providing Ukraine with key intelligence and weapons - was not told. 17 A Russian defender uses an anti-drone gun on one craft flying past Credit: Twitter 17 The drone struck its target, sending a bright orange explosion into the sky Credit: Twitter Advertisement 17 The soldier then got on the phone and called someone Credit: Twitter Destroying the nuclear bombers is key for Ukraine's defence as they are one way that Moscow is able to send its nightly barrage of bombs at the country. Fresh satellite pictures from Belaya airfield, in Irkutsk Oblast deep inside Siberia, show planes lying in ruins on the runway. Ukraine had also thought about how to destroy the evidence of their attack. Advertisement The containers were booby trapped and fitted with explosive devices. They appeared to go off following the successful attack, or if locals started to fiddle with the crates. Burning husks were leftover as Ukraine's agents made a clean getaway, according to Zelensky. Putin has quickly struck back - attempting to look strong as one arm of his nuclear triad has almost been destroyed. Advertisement 17 Ukrainian drones showed recorded as they spiralled down into the bombers Credit: East2West 17 One Russian caught the moment a crate exploded Credit: East2West 17 The containers could be seen burning in the layby Credit: Twitter Two nuclear-missile capable Russian submarines are said to now be beneath the waves of the Black Sea. Advertisement Ukraine has already sent drones to destroy them, sources claim. Kyiv has also sent another drone swarm to attack Kursk with one city seeing explosions like fireworks near apartment buildings. Stunned described the blitz as 'Russia's Pearl Harbour' as they called on with a . Advertisement Ukraine hit long-range Tu-22M3 bombers, used in daily raids on The A-50 is an Early Airborne Warning and Control System, worth a cool £260million each. The drones were reportedly trained by artificial intelligence (AI) to recognise the Russian bombers and execute automatic dive attack algorithms. 17 Vladimir Putin seen on Monday - after he was humiliated by the attack Credit: AP Advertisement
