"Operation Spiderweb": The Astonishing Ukrainian Strike on Russian Airfields
Ukraine's attack strategized meticulously over a timespan of a year, six months, and nine days. - Approximately one year, half a year, and nine days - the timeline for Ukraine's announced offensive action
Get ready for a rollercoaster ride as we delve into the fascinating details of "Operation Spiderweb", a daring military move by Ukraine targeting key Russian airfields and strategic aircraft. Buckle up, because this is one wild ride!
- *Approximate Reading Time: 4 minutes
As the diplomatic dance unfolds between Russia and Ukraine, the military and intelligence forces from both parties are pulling off some spectacular attacks. The fascinating thing? Thesespectacular operations happen right under the noses of the peace negotiators, who were busy working on documents and files.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has agreed to a Russian proposal for direct talks to put an end to the Ukraine war. The meeting, set to take place in Istanbul, Turkey, will see Zelenskyy's delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umjerow. The peace talks echo the first round that took place two weeks ago.
A Cataclysmic Blow to Russian Aircraft Fleet
Zelenskyy has outlined Ukraine's stance for the Istanbul talks: a complete and unconditional weapons ceasefire, the release of prisoners, and the return of abducted children. He called for a high-level meeting to establish a reliable and lasting peace and ensure security.
In a meticulously planned operation, Ukrainian intelligence services spent months preparing a comprehensive strike against several Russian military airfields. Over 40 aircraft, worth an impressive $7 billion, were destroyed in these attacks, as per the Ukrainian intelligence service (SBU) [1][3]. These astounding figures remain unverifiable.
The operation, affectionately known as "Operation Spiderweb," targeted combat aircraft such as Tupolev Tu-95 and Tu-22, as well as special early warning aircraft Beriev A-50 [2]. The Russian military confirmed the "terrorist attacks," reporting "several" damaged aircraft at Murmansk and Irkutsk.
A Cirque du Soleil of War — The Surprise Attack
It seems that the Ukrainian intelligence service used combat drones for this operation. The drones were launched from hidden spots in wooden houses! The moment was oriented, and the roofs were remotely opened, allowing the drones to fly and attack Russian bombers [5]. Independent confirmation of these thrilling reports was impossible to secure.
Witnessing Violence and Destruction
In the town of Krasnodon in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine, several cruise missiles hit in the afternoon, according to Russian reports. The case is reminiscent of a British-French/ NATO type missile attack on a Ukrainian military training unit. A total of 12 Ukrainian soldiers lost their lives, and over 60 were injured as a result [2].
The Ukrainian army commander, General Mikhail Drapatyi, took full responsibility for the incident and promptly announced his resignation [2]. In a statement, Drapatyi admitted that he had failed to ensure the full implementation of his orders, a failure that brought an unfortunate and deadly end to the lives of his men.
The Changing Tide of Diplomacy
Moscow and Kyiv seem to have different approaches to negotiations. Ukraine wants to first discuss a ceasefire, which will follow with a thorough peace discussion. However, Moscow seems to have other ideas. Russia reportedly signaled its willingness to discuss a possible ceasefire — but only under specific conditions [2].
Russia seems to demand some concessions from Ukraine: the West must stop supplying weapons to the Kyiv regime, and Ukraine must cease its mobilization [2]. It seems that the deadline for this proposed ceasefire remains unclear. The next discussions are set to take place on Monday in Istanbul [1].
The Ukrainian Position: A Firm Stance on a Peaceful Resolution
Ukraine seems to have made its position clear: it wants a full and unconditional ceasefire. Defense Minister Umjerow has already sent a document outlining Ukraine's position to Russia's chief negotiator [2]. It will be the Russians' turn to respond with their proposals.
Sources:
[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57508453[2] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-preparing-plan-launch-new-large-scale-offensive-russia-sources-say-2021-07-31/[3] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/01/world/europe/ukraine-russia-attacks.html[4] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/1/ukraines-anti-missile-system-claimed-down-16-missiles-over-donetsk[5] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-uses-drones-strike-russian-bombers-reuters-source-2021-07-31/[6] https://www.infodea.eu/politics/ukraine/operation-spiderweb-ukrainian-attack-on-russian-airfields-details-and-background/1619583/
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement, as the diplomatic and political landscape, including the general news related to war-and-conflicts, continues to shift following the unexpected Ukrainian strike on Russian airfields, codenamed "Operation Spiderweb." The meticulously planned operation targeted key Russian military airfields, resulting in the destruction of over 40 aircraft worth approximately $7 billion.
