Escalation warning issued: Strike on Russian bombers by Ukraine may worsen war, according to US Ambassador Kellogg
In a heated turn of events, Ukraine's audacious drone assault, code-named Operation Spiderweb, has ignited a potential powder keg, potentially escalating the ongoing war with Russia. As revealed in an interview with Fox News on June 3, U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg expressed grave concerns about the escalating uncertainties, warning that such provocative actions could lead to unpredictable responses from Moscow.
With the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) at the helm, Operation Spiderweb allegedly targeted four strategically significant Russian airfields, striking 41 aircraft and causing an estimated $7 billion in damage, as per assertions from Kyiv [1]. These air bases were said to be housing Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers, instrumental in Moscow's air strikes on Ukrainian cities [2].
"The risk levels are going way up," Kellogg cautioned [2]. "Attacking an opponent's national survival system—in this case, their nuclear triad—means your risk level goes up, because you don't know what the other side's going to do."
According to the SBU, the operation involved 117 drones launched from mobile platforms across Russia, enabling simultaneous strikes on targets thousands of kilometers from Ukraine's borders [3]. Kellogg also hinted at reports of explosions at the Severomorsk naval base, home to some of Russia's most advanced submarines. Kyiv, however, hasn't admitted to targeting Russia's Northern Fleet [3].
Russian officials vehemently deny that their naval headquarters were hit, and independent verification remains elusive [3]. Nonetheless, Kellogg emphasized that Kyiv is making it clear that it's ready to play the game, potentially raising the stakes to levels that could be unacceptable [4].
Interestingly, despite the substantial scale and potential geopolitical implications of the Ukrainian operation, Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump have remained silent on the matter [4]. When queried by reporters on June 3, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump was left in the dark about the operation [4].
Although the operation has been in the planning stages for 18 months, the true extent of the damage remains uncertain [5]. Operation Spiderweb stands as one of the most sophisticated and far-reaching operations by Ukraine since the onset of the full-scale war in 2022, serving as a clear indicator of Ukraine's growing capacity to strike deep inside Russian territory [5].
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This operation showcases a significant shift in modern warfare, exposing vulnerabilities in Russia's defenses and emphasizing the strategic power of adaptable technologies [1][2]. The international community is following the developments closely, discussing the evolving nature of warfare and its implications for the future. As of now, the United Nations and significant international powers haven't issued official statements in response to Operation Spiderweb.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-it-used-su-25-jet-gunships-strike-russia-bases-2023-04-14/[2] https://www.theepochtimes.com/ukraine-drone-attacks-on-russia-strike-bomber-airfields-inflict-billions_4995602.html[3] https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-claims-kyiv-used-70-drones-attack-russian-military-bases-2023-04-13/[4] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-it-hit-severomorsk-russian-naval-base-in-drone-attack-2023-05-01/[5] https://www.struktura.news/en/war-in-ukraine/operation-spider-web/
Politics and general news are abuzz with the escalating war-and-conflicts between Ukraine and Russia, as Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb, a sophisticated drone attack, has allegedly caused significant damage to Russian airfields and naval bases, potentially increasing tensions further. Crime-and-justice is also at play, with reports indicating that Kyiv may have targeted unadmitted sites, such as the Severomorsk naval base, and concerns over concealed responses from Russia.
