Ukraine’s defense industry boasts an annual drone production capacity of up to 10 million units, significantly cheaper than comparable combat UAVs. These drones, already battle-tested and crucial to Ukrainian battlefield tactics (accounting for roughly 80% of attacks), are enabling strikes deep within enemy territory. Recent operations, such as the “Spiderweb” operation targeting Russian air bases, highlight the effectiveness of this technology and Ukraine’s resulting global leadership in drone warfare. Ukraine is actively seeking international partnerships to further develop and expand its drone capabilities.
Read More
Ukraine’s recent large-scale drone attack on Russian air bases, involving drones smuggled into Russia and hidden in mobile houses, caused an estimated $7 billion in damages and significantly impacted Russia’s strategic missile capabilities. This operation, years in the making, highlights Ukraine’s continued ability to strike deep within Russian territory. Other notable Ukrainian successes include the sinking of the Moskva cruiser, damage to the Kerch bridge, and a series of high-profile assassinations of Russian military figures within Russia. These actions demonstrate Ukraine’s effective use of unconventional warfare tactics against a larger adversary.
Read More
Operation Pavutyna, a year-and-a-half-long Ukrainian Security Service operation led by Vasyl Maliuk, successfully destroyed 41 Russian strategic aircraft across four airfields, representing 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers. The operation, involving FPV drones transported and launched via a complex logistical scheme, inflicted over $7 billion in damage. This targeted strike, deemed a legitimate act of war under international law by Ukrainian officials, aims to demilitarize Russia and will continue as long as Russian attacks on Ukraine persist.
Read More
On the night of June 1-2, Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine, employing 80 Shahed drones, decoy drones, and four Iskander missiles (three ballistic, one cruise). The assault primarily targeted Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Donetsk, and Kherson oblasts, resulting in hits at 12 locations. Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted 52 aerial targets; 15 were directly destroyed, while 37 were lost from radar or neutralized via electronic warfare. The defense involved diverse units, including aircraft, anti-aircraft missiles, and electronic warfare systems.
Read More
On June 1st, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) launched Operation “Spiderweb,” a complex, six-month operation involving 117 FPV drones to attack four Russian air bases. The operation, personally overseen by President Zelenskyy, successfully damaged 41 Russian aircraft, including strategic missile carriers, representing 34% of Russia’s total, at a cost of $7 billion. This unprecedented attack utilized uniquely designed drone launch systems and was executed simultaneously across four time zones. The SBU stated the operation aims to deter further Russian attacks on Ukraine.
Read More
A large-scale Ukrainian drone attack on June 1st struck multiple Russian air bases, including those in Irkutsk, Murmansk, Ryazan, and Ivanovo regions, impacting long-range bombers. These drones, smuggled into Russia in wooden crates and launched from trucks, caused significant damage and prompted widespread shock among Russian citizens, some of whom now feel the war has reached their doorstep. The attacks, claimed by Ukraine’s SBU, represent a significant escalation of the conflict and a major intelligence and military setback for Russia. These incidents follow other recent attacks on Russian infrastructure, raising concerns about the vulnerability of the country’s interior.
Read More
Two separate bridge collapses in Russia’s Bryansk and Kursk regions, bordering Ukraine, resulted in at least seven deaths and numerous injuries. Both incidents involved trains; in Bryansk, a road bridge collapsed onto a passenger train, with authorities citing “illegal interference,” while in Kursk, a freight train caused a bridge to collapse. Russian authorities initially labeled the events “terrorist acts,” but later removed those references, while Ukraine denied involvement. The incidents follow a pattern of attacks and sabotage targeting Russian infrastructure near the Ukrainian border.
Read More
To combat Russia’s sanctions-evading “shadow fleet,” Sweden will strengthen its verification of foreign vessels’ insurance status starting July 1st. This expanded scrutiny, encompassing ships transiting Swedish waters and not just those docking, will involve the Coast Guard and Maritime Administration. The initiative aims to deter the use of uninsured, poorly maintained ships and provide data for further sanctions enforcement. Swedish officials believe this heightened monitoring will disrupt the shadow fleet’s operations and improve Baltic Sea security.
Read More
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) conducted a successful long-range drone operation, codenamed “Spiderweb,” targeting four Russian airfields. The operation, planned for over 18 months and personally overseen by President Zelensky, resulted in significant damage to approximately 40 Russian aircraft, including A-50, Tu-95, and Tu-22M3 bombers, estimated at $7 billion. All SBU operatives involved were safely recovered, and the operation is considered a major Ukrainian victory.
Read More
A Russian marine from the 40th Separate Marine Brigade has been charged by Ukraine’s SBU with war crimes for the January execution of two Ukrainian prisoners of war near Kursk. The soldier, captured after a subsequent firefight, allegedly shot the unarmed prisoners at point-blank range after their capture. This case contributes to mounting evidence of systemic war crimes against Ukrainian POWs, including numerous deaths in captivity and confirmed instances of deliberate killings by Russian forces. The accused faces life imprisonment if convicted under Ukraine’s Criminal Code for violating the Geneva Convention.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker