New Delhi, June 2 – Ukraine on Sunday targeted military air bases in different Russian regions, carrying what was called its “largest drone attack” inside the enemy territory. Dubbed ‘Operation Spider’s Web’, the attack also marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two nations at a time when attempts for establishing peace are underway.
Russian news agency TASS quoted the Russian Defence Ministry to state that “all terrorist attacks on military airfields in the Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions were successfully foiled, however, “several aircraft caught fire due to FPV drone attacks near military airfields”.
There were no reports of casualties among military personnel or civilians.
While the world awaits with bated breath the Russian response to the attack deep inside its territory, the second round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul are happening as per schedule, according to reports.
On Monday, Russia and Ukraine are meeting for the second round of direct peace talks since the war erupted in 2022.
However, the Ukraine attack comes at a time when Moscow is making significant territorial advances in the Sumy region. With neither of the two sides in a mood to yield, all eyes are on the region and what next. It has been over three years since the two countries became embroiled in war.
Trying to maintain a delicate diplomatic balance between “historical” ally Russia and Ukraine, India too is watching closely, say sources
In August 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ukraine on the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the “first ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries in 1992.”
Apart from revitalising trade, expanding market access with mutual economic benefits and positioning as a peacemaker, PM Modi’s visit also aimed to mend fences with Ukraine and reestablish bonds with the country in the post-Soviet era. Calling it a “significant shift” in policy, observers say the “multi-alignment approach” aimed to achieve a healthy diplomatic relation with Ukraine.
Meanwhile, defence analysts say lessons on military planning and strategy can also be drawn from ‘Operation Spider’s Web’, most essentially the use of cost-effective technology (drones in this case) to inflict damage on a superior military force inside its territory, and of course an effective intelligence network to detect and neutralise enemy threat.
