Russia is preparing a serious retaliatory strike against Ukraine after a large-scale drone attack on Russian air bases. This is reported by The New York Times, citing American officials, UNIAN agency reported.
“American intelligence has not yet determined what type of strikes Russia will carry out, but officials believe that Moscow could resume drone strikes on civilian targets, attack the power grid or launch new waves of medium-range ballistic missiles“, the publication notes.
According to preliminary assessments by American and European security officials, about 20 Russian strategic aircraft may have been destroyed or seriously damaged, which would deal a serious blow to Russia's ability to strike at long-range targets. distances.
In particular, it is noted that Russia's losses included six Tu-95 and four Tu-22M strategic bombers, as well as A-50 radar surveillance and control aircraft.
The attack damaged Moscow's valuable strategic capabilities. But just as importantly, it demonstrated Ukraine's ability to strike virtually anywhere in Russia and destroy combat aircraft worth over $100 million using drones priced at just $600.
Ukrainian drones caused “significant“ damage, but that the attack itself would not force Russia to scale back its offensive operations in Ukraine.
The special operation by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) was carried out on June 1, 2025. During the operation, drone strikes were carried out on at least five Russian airfields deep on Russian territory, thousands of kilometers from the Ukrainian border.