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Brazen drone strike showcases Ukrainian innovation as war grinds on
The Washington Post ^ | June 2, 2025 1:15 p.m. EDT | Siobhán O'Grady , Francesca Ebel , Serhiy Morgunov and Alex Horton

Posted on 06/02/2025 12:31:27 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum

KYIV — For 18 months, Ukraine’s internal security service planned an audacious assault on far-flung Russian airfields — first sneaking drones into Russia, then planting them near key military runways.

On Sunday, just ahead of a new round of peace talks, it was go time: Near four unsuspecting Russian military bases, remotely activated roofs lifted off mobile homes and sheds parked on flatbed trucks. Armed Ukrainian drones tucked inside soared upward, then pounced on military aircraft lined up on the runways, engulfing many in flames.

The brazen attack — which Ukrainian officials claimed destroyed at least 13 Russian aircraft and damaged dozens of others — shocked Russia and instantly reduced its capabilities to threaten nuclear attack or launch missile strikes on Ukraine and other countries. It also served as a crucial reminder to Moscow and Ukraine’s Western partners that Kyiv remains capable of exploiting Russia’s weaknesses and disrupting its war plans, despite being outnumbered and outgunned.

Ukraine said the damaged or destroyed planes, some of which were nuclear-capable, included A-50, Tu-95, Tu-22 M3 and Tu-160 models — planes Kyiv said Russia had used nearly every night to bomb Ukraine.

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Many details of how the attack was planned are still not public, and it was not immediately clear how many of the Russian planes were operational at the time they were targeted.

But the swift, angry reactions in Russia confirmed that Ukraine had exploited — to devastating effect — an obvious vulnerability: essential and expensive aircraft left out in the open but believed safe because they were deep inside the country. The operation also marked the latest example of drone technology redefining modern warfare.

Western analysts said the strikes will hinder Russia’s ability to launch cruise missiles into Ukraine and could force Russian commanders to shift significant resources...

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: russiansuicide; russiantrollfarm; vladtheimploder; zeepersorgasmic; zeepersoverjoyed; zeepersthrilled; zeepwarmustcontinue
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1 posted on 06/02/2025 12:31:27 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

2 posted on 06/02/2025 12:34:40 PM PDT by Tell It Right (1 Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

WP = nothing but anti American propaganda!!!


3 posted on 06/02/2025 12:37:14 PM PDT by Trump Girl Kit Cat (Yosemite Sam raising hell)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Planes in the open per strategic arms treaty with US.


4 posted on 06/02/2025 12:38:44 PM PDT by NavyShoe
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

It was brilliant. Kudos to MI-5 or whoever it was.


5 posted on 06/02/2025 12:39:11 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is opinion or satire. Or both.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

I doubt the tech is Ukrainian.


6 posted on 06/02/2025 12:43:36 PM PDT by Resolute Conservative
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

… if by “Ukrainian innovation” you mean “CIA black ops” …


7 posted on 06/02/2025 12:46:37 PM PDT by rhinohunter (I don’t know if God is a Republican, but I am metaphysically certain that satan is a democrat)
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To: Resolute Conservative
I doubt the tech is Ukrainian.

Doesn't matter. The burning heaps of scrap metal are Russian.

(BTW: Russia, too, employs a lot of foreign military tech. They are even letting undernourished North Korean grunts die for them. Is that better?!)

Regards,

8 posted on 06/02/2025 12:46:49 PM PDT by alexander_busek (Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.)
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To: rhinohunter

Yep.


9 posted on 06/02/2025 12:49:21 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Democrats are the Party of anger, hate and violence.)
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To: alexander_busek

The sad truth is the NK military is well fed, even pampered by NK standards, while the ordinary civilian population goes without. “Wanna eat? Be a loyal member of our military!”


10 posted on 06/02/2025 12:59:08 PM PDT by CatHerd (Whoever said "all's fair in love and war" probably never participated in either.)
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To: BenLurkin

The Ukrainian special ops people are second only to the Mossad in dirty tricks.


11 posted on 06/02/2025 1:00:33 PM PDT by TheThirdRuffian (Orange is the new brown)
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To: Resolute Conservative

By all accounts, the drones were very simple domestic drones.


12 posted on 06/02/2025 1:01:26 PM PDT by TheThirdRuffian (Orange is the new brown)
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To: Tell It Right

Remember Ngô Đình Diệm….. sometimes the deep state needs a change….


13 posted on 06/02/2025 1:01:37 PM PDT by Lockbox (politicians, they all seemed like game show host to me.... Sting)
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Awesome. Then they don’t need anymore help from us.

If Sniffy wants more “mah-ney” (and he always does), let the Euros help him.

We need to wash our hands if this grifter and of Russia.


14 posted on 06/02/2025 1:05:25 PM PDT by Allegra (Stop the Slavs from Censoring FReepers)
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To: CatHerd

Something like the ‘elite’ Iraq Republican Guard, elite because they got three meals a day.
-Tweak bear’s nose

=Bear: “Sign, or don’t.”


15 posted on 06/02/2025 1:07:12 PM PDT by tumblindice (America's founding fathers: all armed conservatives)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Yes, it was a very impressive operation on the tactical level. But what did it achieve at the operational and strategic levels? Not much. Yes, it’s an embarrassment for the Russians. Yes, they lost a dozen bombers (but still have hundreds left). Yes, it may temporarily hamper some operations in the Ukrainian theater, but that’s it.

It was basically a PR stunt. Sure it generated lots of splashy headlines and did good service to the Western “narrative” but what difference does it really make on the battleground?

And at what risk? Did anyone bother to calculate the risk/benefit ratio? I guess we’ll find out when we see the Russian response.


16 posted on 06/02/2025 1:09:01 PM PDT by CatHerd (Whoever said "all's fair in love and war" probably never participated in either.)
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To: CatHerd
And at what risk? Did anyone bother to calculate the risk/benefit ratio?

The globalists need a global war to cling to power. That's all they care about.

17 posted on 06/02/2025 1:10:40 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Democrats are the Party of anger, hate and violence.)
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To: CatHerd
The sad truth is the NK military is well fed, even pampered by NK standards, while the ordinary civilian population goes without.

Whatever you say!

Regards,

18 posted on 06/02/2025 1:21:23 PM PDT by alexander_busek (Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.)
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To: CatHerd

If the WashCompost is gushing, you know something stinks.


19 posted on 06/02/2025 1:22:36 PM PDT by tumblindice (America's founding fathers: all armed conservatives)
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To: CatHerd
Yes, it was a very impressive operation on the tactical level. But what did it achieve at the operational and strategic levels? Not much. Yes, it’s an embarrassment for [...] Yes, they lost a dozen bombers (but still have hundreds left). Yes, it may temporarily hamper some operations in the [...] theater, but that’s it. It was basically a PR stunt. Sure it generated lots of splashy headlines and did good service to the Western “narrative” but what difference does it really make on the battleground?

Are you talking about the Doolittle Raid?

Regards,

20 posted on 06/02/2025 1:24:10 PM PDT by alexander_busek (Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.)
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