Russia No Longer Safe: Ukraine’s Bold Strikes Deep Inside Putin’s Territory

Vladimir Putin’s Russia is no longer considered safe. The war dynamics have shifted with Ukraine launching a bold drone attack against Russian airbases and military aircraft deep within its territory during the ‘Spider Web’ operation, striking even Putin’s prized Crimean Bridge. This barrage of Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russia not only inflicted significant operational losses on Moscow’s armed forces but also shattered Kremlin confidence in the security of their military bases, even those far from the Ukrainian border. The drone attacks deep into Russian territory show that certain targets remain vulnerable, even without the use of Western weapons. A heavily hit fleet might force the Kremlin to reconsider its strategy against Ukraine, according to Financial Times. Simultaneously, American and European security officials told the New York Times that up to 20 Russian planes may have been destroyed or severely damaged, causing a severe blow to Russia’s long-range strike capabilities. These attacks exposed the cost of prolonged warfare—even if the adversary is weaker. Officials noted that among the losses were six heavy bomber Tu-95s, four TU-22Ms, and combat aircraft A-50s used for radar and missile detection. The ‘Spider Web Operation’ struck at Moscow’s strategic capabilities, proving Ukraine’s ability to hit almost anywhere in Russia, destroying expensive military aircraft worth $100 million or more with unmanned drones costing just $600 each. Ukraine also attacked the Kerch Bridge using special forces to place and detonate explosives, trapping columns supporting it. SBU successfully executed another mission inside Russian territory, targeting the strategically important Crimean Bridge, crucial for logistical support and administration of Russian troops fighting in Ukraine. The operation lasted several months and resulted in significant damage to the underwater supports of the bridge. For Ukraine, hitting this bridge represents not only a strategic target but a symbolic one, being an iconic project for Putin and the visual symbol of Crimea’s annexation by Russia. Any strike on this bridge is considered a communication victory for Ukraine. Amidst rising tensions, there are fears that Putin might respond with a ‘superweapon,’ a term he introduced in March 2018, referring to new categories of nuclear or advanced military systems supposedly invincible against American defense systems. As Kyiv extends its military efforts further into Russian territory and Moscow escalates its countermeasures, the question remains whether Putin will retaliate with a game-changing strategic weapon, potentially signaling a dangerous new chapter in the war.