Latest news with #OperationSpidersWeb
News.com.au
17 hours ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Trump warns Putin ‘will respond' to Ukraine drone attack
Donald Trump said he held a phone call with Vladimir Putin who warned him 'very strongly' that Russia would have to respond to Ukraine's audacious attack this week. 'It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate peace,' the US president said on Wednesday, US time. Ukraine said it attacked 41 Russian planes across four airfields in a daring attack, codenamed Operation Spider's Web, on June 1. Various commentators within Russia have said that the destruction of long range bombers that can carry nuclear weapons is grounds for using nuclear weapons on Ukraine. However, nuclear sabre rattling is common after major Ukrainian attacks. Russia could ratchet up its conventional attacks with more missiles and drones. Ukraine's air defences are already stretched. Mr Trump said the call with Mr Putin lasted around one hour and 15 minutes. 'We discussed the attack on Russia's docked aeroplanes, by Ukraine, and also various other attacks that have been taking place by both sides,' Mr Trump wrote on social media. 'It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace. 'President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields.' Ukraine and Russia have now held two recent rounds of peace talks which have led to the exchange of prisoners. But the two remain far apart when it comes to grounds for compromise. Mr Trump previously said he had given Mr Putin a two week deadline to get to a meaningful point to stopping the conflict. But no mention of that deadline, which is not yet up, was made. 'Time is running out' Mr Trump also said the two discussed Iran where the US is trying to stop Tehran from building a nuclear weapon. 'Time is running out on Iran's decision pertaining to nuclear weapons, which must be made quickly!' he wrote. 'I stated to President Putin that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and, on this, I believe that we were in agreement. 'President Putin suggested that he will participate in the discussions with Iran and that he could, perhaps, be helpful in getting this brought to a rapid conclusion.' Mr Trump said in his opinion, 'Iran has been slow walking their decision on this very important matter. 'We will need a definitive answer in a very short period of time!' Many have said that Russia has also been slow walking Ukraine peace talks with Moscow refusing to sign up to a 30 day ceasefire. The Kremlin described the call as 'positive' and 'productive', adding that Mr Trump had told Mr Putin that Washington was not informed in advance about the drone strikes. Mr Trump made no mention of whether he had warned Mr Putin off retaliating against US ally Ukraine, which Russia invaded in February 2022, sparking a grinding war. The US president has repeatedly alarmed Kyiv and its supporters in Europe and elsewhere by pivoting towards Mr Putin, and he had a blazing Oval Office row with Volodymyr Zelensky in February. Mr Trump has however also shown growing frustration with Putin – last week calling him 'crazy' – as Russia has continued attacks and derailed Trump's campaign pledge to end the war within 24 hours. 'Ultimatum' Mr Zelensky said earlier on Wednesday that Russia had handed Ukraine an 'ultimatum' and recycled old demands in Turkey, where the only concrete agreement was on a series of large-scale prisoner exchanges. Moscow's demands included Ukraine fully pulling out of four regions – Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia – that Russia claims to have annexed but does not have full control over. Mr Zelensky said Ukraine was ready 'any day' for a meeting proposed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that would also include the US and Russian leaders. The White House said Mr Trump is 'open' to such a meeting.
BBC News
20 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Are the surprise airfield attacks a turning point for Ukraine?
Three days on, and Ukraine is still digesting the full implications of Operation Spider's Web, Sunday's massive assault on Russia's strategic Wednesday, the agency which orchestrated the attack, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), released additional, vivid footage of the attacks in progress, as well as tantalising glimpses into how the whole complex operation was images that have emerged since Sunday, showing the wrecked outlines of planes sitting on the tarmac at the Olenya, Ivanovo, Dyagilevo and Belaya airbases, also help tell the story of the operation's unprecedented Ukrainian observers, the whole operation, a year-and-a -half in the making, remains a marvel."This can be considered one of the most brilliant operations in our history," Roman Pohorlyi, founder of the DeepState, a group of Ukrainian military analysts, told me."We've shown that we can be strong, we can be creative and we can destroy our enemies no matter how far away they are."It's important to note that almost all the information that has emerged since Sunday has been released by the SBU with its own success, it is keen to cast the operation in the best possible light. Its information campaign has been helped by the fact that the Kremlin has said almost to the media on Wednesday after handing out medals to SBU officers involved in the operation, the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky repeated the claim that 41 aircraft had been damaged or destroyed."Half of them cannot be restored," he said, "and some will take years to repair, if they can be restored at all."Had a ceasefire been in place, he added, Operation Spider's Web would not have happened. Putin will seek revenge for Ukraine drone attack, warns TrumpSatellite images show Russian bombers destroyed in Ukraine attackHow Ukraine carried out daring 'Spider Web' attack on Russian bombers The latest four-minute compilation released by the SBU shows a number of key from the perspective of some of the 117 drones involved, we see Russian strategic bombers, transport aircraft and airborne warning and control (AWACS) being hunted can be seen raging on a number of stricken the first time, we get glimpses under the wings of some of the bombers, revealing that they were already armed with cruise missiles, which Russia has used to devastating effect in its air raids on drones, many flown remotely by a separate pilot, sitting far away in Ukraine, are carefully and precisely aimed at vulnerable points, including fuel tanks located in the of the resulting fireballs also suggest the tanks were full of fuel, ready for take off. One significant section of the video shows drones homing in on two Beriev A-50s, giant AWACS aircraft first produced in the Soviet all the aircraft targeted by Operation Spider's Web, the A-50, with its radar capable of seeing targets and threats more than 600km (372 miles) away, is arguably the most the full-scale invasion in 2022, Russia was thought to operate around nine A-50s. Before last Sunday, as many as three had been shot down or damaged in an earlier drone latest footage strongly implies that drones hit the circular radar domes of the two A-50s parked at the Ivanovo Severny airbase, north-east of since the video feed cuts out at the moment of impact, this is hard to completely imagery, which clearly displays the wreckage of numerous bombers, is inconclusive when it comes to the Russia's fleet of these crucial aircraft could now be down to as few as four."Restarting production of the A-50 is presently highly unlikely, due to difficulties with import substitution and the destruction of production facilities," defence analyst Serhii Kuzan told me."As such, every loss of this type of aircraft constitutes a strategic problem for Russia, one it cannot quickly compensate for." Earlier on Wednesday, the SBU offered a brief glimpse into another of Sunday's remarkable features: the use of specially constructed containers, mounted on flatbed trucks, to transport armed drones to sites close to the four Russian videos show a truck carrying what appear to be two wooden mobile homes, complete with windows and one video, roof panels are clearly visible. Reports suggest these were retracted or otherwise removed shortly before the attacks began, allowing dozens of drones stored inside to take not known when or where the videos were filmed, although snow visible beside the road in one suggests it could have been weeks or months another video, posted on a Russian Telegram channel on Sunday, a police officer was seen entering the back of one of the containers in the wake of the later, the container exploded, suggesting it may have been booby-trapped. How to assess the impact of such a spectacular operation?"From a military point of view, this is a turning point in the war," aviation expert Anatolii Khrapchynskyi told me."Because we have dealt a significant blow to Russia's image and the capabilities of the Russian Federation."A little over three months after Donald Trump berated Volodymyr Zelensky, telling him he had "no cards," Ukraine has offered an emphatic riposte."Ukraine has shown the whole world that Russia is actually weak and cannot defend itself internally," Khrapchynskyi that doesn't mean that Russia is about to change his latest conversation with Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump said the two leaders had discussed Ukraine's attacks."It was a good conversation," President Trump posted on Truth Social, "but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace.""President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields."
Daily Telegraph
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Telegraph
Satellite images show the extent of the damage after Ukraine's daring operation deep inside Russia
Don't miss out on the headlines from World. Followed categories will be added to My News. Satellite images analysed by experts have confirmed Ukraine's claim that it destroyed crucial elements of Vladimir Putin's air power during its surprise operation deep inside Russia earlier this week. The raid, codenamed Operation Spider's Web, took 18 months to plan and execute. Ukraine smuggled drones across the Russian border, hidden in trucks, which then drove to the sites of military bases. One penetrated as far as Siberia, more than 4000 kilometres away from the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. At a co-ordinated moment, the trucks released their drones, which then attacked while being controlled remotely. Ukraine pulled off the extraordinary operation with near-total secrecy, and all its operatives successfully made it back across the border. Even the United States, whose intelligence and military aid have been vital throughout the war, was not warned beforehand. 'Planning, organisation, every detail was perfectly executed. It can be said with confidence that this was an absolutely unique operation,' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said when it was over. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. Picture:In the immediate aftermath of the operation, Ukraine's security forces claimed to have taken out about a third of Russia's strategic bombers, partially crippling Putin's capacity to launch long-distance missile strikes. Lieutenant General Vasyl Malyuk, head of the Security Service, put the tally at 41 aircraft, encompassing both Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers. It turns out that was not even the full extent of the damage. According to American military correspondent David Axe (fitting name, no?), the Ukrainian attacks on Russian bases appear to have diminished Russia's already dwindling supply of A-50s – an expensive type of surveillance aircraft, equipped with a powerful radar, whose chief purpose is to co-ordinate operations involving fighter jets and bombers. When Putin first invaded Ukraine, in February of 2022, he reportedly had nine active A-50s. By February of this year, that had fallen to seven, or perhaps even fewer, as Ukraine claimed to have destroyed at least two of them. One of the air bases targeted in Operation Spider's Web, in Ivanovo Oblast, is known to have housed A-50 aircraft, as captured by satellite imagery last month. Another photographic image, taken after the attack, showed at least one of the craft damaged. An overview of the Ivanovo air base, which was among those targeted by Ukraine. Picture: Maxar Technologies/AFP Two undamaged A-50 aircraft, captured in satellite images, before the Ukrainian attacks last month. Picture: Maxar Technologies/AFP The reconnaissance planes are hard to replace, and the cost – hundreds of millions of dollars – is not the only problem. After the aforementioned pair were lost earlier this year, Ukraine said Russia was trying to replace their capability with drones, as a sort of stopgap measure. 'It's certainly plausible that Russians are scrambling drones to plug some of the gaps,' drone expert Steve Wright told Newsweek at the time. 'But it's certainly not a one-for-one replacement.' 'That is hard to replicate with drones which, even if equipped with radar, lack the size and power to provide comparable radar coverage,' agreed Frederik Mertens, an analyst at The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies. Satellite images from commercial firms have granted a valuable window into Ukraine-Russia war since Putin's invasion began. That these latest images show smouldering wreckage deep within Russia, though, is a fact that demonstrates the astonishing success of Ukraine's operation. An image from AviVector, showing the damage at Olenya air base. Another example, from geospatial intelligence consultant Chris Biggers. Wreckage at Belaya air base. Picture: Maxar Technologies/AFP Defence analysis website The War Zone this week reiterated its previous assessment that 'Russia would not have to lose very many bombers, as well as A-50s, to' suffer a significant negative impact. 'Even taking one or two bombers out of operation will impact the Russian Aerospace Forces. The bomber triad has played a key role in launching the barrages of cruise missiles that have regularly struck targets across Ukraine,' the site noted. 'At the same time, these aircraft are an integral part of Russia's nuclear deterrent. This makes them a matter of great prestige, but also a critical element in Russia's ability to launch nuclear or conventional air strikes against targets outside of Ukraine. 'These aircraft are also regularly used for long-range patrols over Europe and Asia, also venturing as far as the coast of Alaska, and for irregular visits to strategic allies. 'Wiping out a significant portion of one prong of the nuclear triad – the most flexible part of it – has an impact on the credibility of Russia's overall deterrent.' Originally published as Satellite images show the extent of the damage after Ukraine's daring operation deep inside Russia
News.com.au
a day ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Satellite images show the extent of the damage after Ukraine's daring operation deep inside Russia
Satellite images analysed by experts have confirmed Ukraine's claim that it destroyed crucial elements of Vladimir Putin's air power during its surprise operation deep inside Russia earlier this week. The raid, codenamed Operation Spider's Web, took 18 months to plan and execute. Ukraine smuggled drones across the Russian border, hidden in trucks, which then drove to the sites of military bases. One penetrated as far as Siberia, more than 4000 kilometres away from the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. At a co-ordinated moment, the trucks released their drones, which then attacked while being controlled remotely. Ukraine pulled off the extraordinary operation with near-total secrecy, and all its operatives successfully made it back across the border. Even the United States, whose intelligence and military aid have been vital throughout the war, was not warned beforehand. 'Planning, organisation, every detail was perfectly executed. It can be said with confidence that this was an absolutely unique operation,' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said when it was over. In the immediate aftermath of the operation, Ukraine's security forces claimed to have taken out about a third of Russia's strategic bombers, partially crippling Putin's capacity to launch long-distance missile strikes. Lieutenant General Vasyl Malyuk, head of the Security Service, put the tally at 41 aircraft, encompassing both Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers. It turns out that was not even the full extent of the damage. According to American military correspondent David Axe (fitting name, no?), the Ukrainian attacks on Russian bases appear to have diminished Russia's already dwindling supply of A-50s – an expensive type of surveillance aircraft, equipped with a powerful radar, whose chief purpose is to co-ordinate operations involving fighter jets and bombers. When Putin first invaded Ukraine, in February of 2022, he reportedly had nine active A-50s. By February of this year, that had fallen to seven, or perhaps even fewer, as Ukraine claimed to have destroyed at least two of them. One of the air bases targeted in Operation Spider's Web, in Ivanovo Oblast, is known to have housed A-50 aircraft, as captured by satellite imagery last month. Another photographic image, taken after the attack, showed at least one of the craft damaged. A-50 AWACS base at Ivanovo via Mizar 🛰ï¸� At least 1 unit is destroyed possibly more — Húrin (@Hurin92) June 2, 2025 The reconnaissance planes are hard to replace, and the cost – hundreds of millions of dollars – is not the only problem. After the aforementioned pair were lost earlier this year, Ukraine said Russia was trying to replace their capability with drones, as a sort of stopgap measure. 'It's certainly plausible that Russians are scrambling drones to plug some of the gaps,' drone expert Steve Wright told Newsweek at the time. 'But it's certainly not a one-for-one replacement.' 'That is hard to replicate with drones which, even if equipped with radar, lack the size and power to provide comparable radar coverage,' agreed Frederik Mertens, an analyst at The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies. Satellite images from commercial firms have granted a valuable window into Ukraine-Russia war since Putin's invasion began. That these latest images show smouldering wreckage deep within Russia, though, is a fact that demonstrates the astonishing success of Ukraine's operation. Defence analysis website The War Zone this week reiterated its previous assessment that 'Russia would not have to lose very many bombers, as well as A-50s, to' suffer a significant negative impact. 'Even taking one or two bombers out of operation will impact the Russian Aerospace Forces. The bomber triad has played a key role in launching the barrages of cruise missiles that have regularly struck targets across Ukraine,' the site noted. 'At the same time, these aircraft are an integral part of Russia's nuclear deterrent. This makes them a matter of great prestige, but also a critical element in Russia's ability to launch nuclear or conventional air strikes against targets outside of Ukraine. 'These aircraft are also regularly used for long-range patrols over Europe and Asia, also venturing as far as the coast of Alaska, and for irregular visits to strategic allies. 'Wiping out a significant portion of one prong of the nuclear triad – the most flexible part of it – has an impact on the credibility of Russia's overall deterrent.'
Russia Today
a day ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
US intel behind Ukrainian attack on Russian planes – ex-French spy
Ukraine would not have been able to remotely attack strategic Russian aircraft parked deep inside Russian territory without direct intelligence and satellite support from the US, a former officer in the French military has claimed. Ukrainian drones struck airbases across Russia on Monday in a coordinated attack known as 'Operation Spider's Web', targeting sites from Murmansk in the Arctic to Irkutsk in Siberia. Kiev has claimed that around 40 Russian military aircraft were damaged or destroyed, including Tu-95 and Tu-22 long-range bombers. Moscow has not confirmed the claims, reporting that most of Kiev's drones were shot down. The strikes were reportedly carried out using commercial trucks rigged with explosive-laden drones that had been smuggled inside Russia. Kiev's operation involved piloting FPV drones thousands of kilometers from the front lines, Guillaume Ancel, a writer and former French army lieutenant colonel, told Le Monde on Wednesday. 'This is possible and conceivable only with the support of a powerful satellite communications system,' he said. 'Since the Ukrainians don't have this mastery, if they were able to act remotely, it's certainly thanks to the United States.' Ancel suggested that Kiev 'would not have been able to carry out the operation without information from American intelligence.' While some in the West have hailed Ukraine's latest drone operation, Stephane Audrand, an international risk consultant and reserve officer, has stressed that it would not actually have much of an impact. Despite its spectacular nature, 'Operation Spider's Web' 'will not change the tactical balance of power on the ground or the course of the war, because these weapons are not used on the battlefield,' Audrand told Le Monde. Throughout the Ukraine conflict, Moscow has described the hostilities as a Western proxy war against Russia and has condemned arms supplies to Kiev as counterproductive to the peace process. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also recently acknowledged the nature of the conflict, stating: 'Frankly, it's a proxy war between nuclear powers – the United States, helping Ukraine, and Russia.' Moscow has vehemently condemned Ukraine's continued drone strikes into Russian territory in recent weeks, claiming that they undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has claimed that the latest attacks are an attempt to derail the peace process.
