Russia unleashed a massive drone and missile strike on Kyiv and across the country in response to Ukraine’s operation codenamed “Spiderweb,” but many analysts say it was too little, too late. The attack, which began Thursday night, used 479 drones, surpassing Russia’s previous record of 472 deployed just a day earlier.
The Kremlin’s initial retaliation has raised questions about Putin’s ability to escalate the war and exact retribution on Ukraine. Analysts point out that Russia is constrained by its own use of force, with near-daily strikes now involving over 400 drones, making it difficult to determine the extent of any retaliation.
Putin’s response also raises concerns about his ability to adapt to changing circumstances. The “Spiderweb” operation, which involved dozens of hidden drones destroying at least 12 Russian bombers, was a major blow to Russia’s military capabilities. However, Putin’s pledge to “respond” to Ukraine’s attack in his call with US President Donald Trump was largely ignored by Russian state media.
Experts say that Russia is likely to look for other ways to strike back, rather than unleashing a large-scale operation like the one seen Thursday night. Mark Galeotti, a leading Russia analyst, notes that Putin has limited options for punishment due to the destruction of key military targets during Ukraine’s “Spiderweb” operation.
The situation on the battlefield remains fluid, with Russian troops advancing in northern Sumy region and claiming gains in central Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk. However, analysts say that while Russia still holds the initiative on the battlefield, Ukraine has demonstrated its ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances.
Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s air force, said that the Russian attack on the western Rivne region was “one of the biggest ever carried out by Russia.” Despite air defenses performing well, it remains unclear whether the strike will have any lasting impact.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/09/europe/russia-putin-respond-ukraine-drone-attack-intl