Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began over two years ago, turning what started as a regional standoff into a drawn-out war of attrition. Since 2022, most of the fighting has played out on Ukrainian land. On Sunday, June 1st, Ukraine launched a stunning aerial assault deep inside Russian territory—its largest drone operation since the Ukraine – Russia war began in 2022. Military airfields, radar stations, and strategic sites across southern Russia were hit in a campaign that Kyiv says was months in the making. The scope and impact of the strike have shocked military observers and could mark a new phase in the grinding war.
A Shift in Strategy in the Ukraine – Russia War
The operation, codenamed “Spider’s Web,” involved 117 drones targeting key Russian regions, including Krasnodar, Stavropol, Belgorod, and Voronezh. Notably, the Morozovsk airfield in Rostov, home to Russia’s Su-34 bombers, was among the primary targets. Other strikes hit radar sites in Bryansk and energy facilities in the Belgorod region.
According to Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), this mission had been under planning for several months. The drones were hidden in forested areas near the Russian border, quietly assembled and staged before being launched in coordinated waves. By relying on both long-range drones and electronic warfare support, Ukraine managed to slip past Russian air defenses, causing fires, halting flights, and inflicting direct damage on military infrastructure.
How Effective Was the Strike?
While Russia claims many drones were shot down, satellite imagery and independent analysts suggest at least one Su-34 was destroyed, and several facilities were significantly damaged. The Morozovsk airfield suffered multiple strikes. Fires were reported at the Yeisk airbase as well, located closer to the Sea of Azov.
The attack not only disrupted air traffic but also sent a clear message: Ukraine can now reach far into Russian territory and hit strategic military targets. This puts pressure on Moscow to further defend its own soil—diverting attention and resources from the front lines.
For Ukraine, this is more than symbolic. It’s a show of strength at a time when its forces have been struggling to regain ground in the Donbas and southern fronts. By shifting the battlefield deeper into Russia, Ukraine may be forcing the Kremlin into a more defensive posture.
Peace Talks in Istanbul
On June 2, representatives from Ukraine and Russia met in Istanbul for a new attempt at peace negotiations—one of the few formal dialogues between the two sides in recent months. Ukraine laid out a proposal calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, the return of children taken during the war, and a large-scale prisoner swap.
Russia, however, maintained tough demands. It pushed for Ukraine to give up claims to occupied territories, recognize Moscow’s control over annexed regions, and accept restrictions on its military capacity. Ukrainian officials rejected these terms outright, calling them unacceptable and one-sided.
So far, the talks have made only modest headway. Both parties agreed to some humanitarian measures, including the return of fallen soldiers and a limited exchange of prisoners. A broader truce remains off the table. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has voiced optimism about future talks, possibly involving world leaders such as Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, and even Donald Trump—but no summit has yet been confirmed.
North Korea’s Growing Role
Another worrying trend is the deepening involvement of outside powers. North Korea has become more vocal in supporting Moscow. Just this week, Pyongyang blasted international monitoring groups for calling attention to its weapons shipments to Russia. The regime has reportedly supplied artillery and other military equipment, despite U.N. sanctions.
This growing military relationship between North Korea and Russia adds yet another layer of complexity. It reinforces the sense that this is no longer a regional war, but a global power contest playing out on Ukrainian soil.
