Ukraine drones strike serious blow to Russian war effort
Ukraine’s recent drone attack on Russian military assets is not decisive, but it does suggest that Putin has met his match with President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine. This is another example of the clever and resourceful Ukrainians doing something not thought possible. You may recall repulsing the Russian juggernaut heading to Kyiv at the start of the war … the sinking of Russian warships (including the flagship “Moscow”) … invading and occupying land inside Russia … knocking off top military leaders on Putin’s turf.
The latest surprise may be the most dramatic and serious of all. In a special operation dubbed “Spider’s Web”, 117 low-cost Kamikaze FPV drones were deployed in a coordinated attack on air bases throughout Russia. This was in addition to the approximately 350 drones fired into Russia that day – spanning several hours and multiple regions. Russia claims to have neutralized 162 of them.
The drones involved in Operation Spider’s Web were successful in hitting major airbases across Russia, including Belaya Airbase (Irkutsk Region), Olenya Airbase (Murmansk Region), Ivanovo Airbase (Ivanovo Oblast) and the Dyagilevo Airbase (Ryazan Region). Two of those airbases were thousands of miles from the Ukraine/Russian border.
It is estimated that 41 of Russia’s military aircraft were either destroyed or severely damaged. Most significant were the Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 nuclear-capable bombers, and the A-50 reconnaissance planes critical to major operations — including nuclear. It has been reported that Russia lost one-third of its strategic bomber fleet and a third of its strategic cruise missile carriers.
The destruction of these aircraft has significantly weakened Russia’s ability to conduct long-range missile strikes. While Russia maintains the world’s largest nuclear inventory, these strikes have reduced its operational capabilities.
Many of the drones were smuggled into Russia and launched from trucks. Reports also suggest that some of the drones may have actually been manufactured inside Russia. The existence of a pro-Ukraine underground was seen in the growing number of sabotage attacks on railways, bridges and military assets – and the killing of top-ranking military officials – inside Mother Russia.
The successful attacks have proven the effectiveness of Ukraine’s drone warfare strategy. The FPV drones are smaller than Ukraine’s longer-range UAVs. The FPVs are harder to detect. That was proven since the current round of attacks was conducted in broad daylight. Though smaller and cheaper, the FPVs have proven their ability to attack deep inside Russia.
It is particularly noteworthy – and should be particularly concerning to Putin – that these weapons were produced and deployed solely by Ukraine. They were not provided by the United States or NATO nations.
The recent attack may only be a precursor of things to come. Ukraine plans to produce up to 10 million drones annually. As of 2025, Ukraine is already producing between 2.5 to 3 million drones per year, with monthly production reaching 200,000 units. If Ukraine can do what they did with 117 drones, imagine what they can do with millions of them.
Then there is the morale factor. The scope and effectiveness of the attack is a huge embarrassment to Putin – and he has a public that is starting to show signs of war weariness. Having drones attacking neighborhoods throughout Russia will not help Putin’s public relations.
He will most certainly try to save face by ramping up missile attacks on Ukraine – especially on Kiev, Kharkiv and Odesa. After that, what? Another humiliating response at the hands of Ukraine?
The cost of the lost military assets is a major factor – estimated to be in the $7 billion range. Russia is already overstretched in terms of funding the war. Putin is fast reaching an inability to keep the war going based on cost alone. More sanctions and another drop in international gas prices and Putin’s problem becomes a crisis. Russia’s economic woes are already impacting on the people – in addition to the loss of hundreds of thousands of young Russian men.
While there has been no progress in reaching a ceasefire or peace agreement along Trump’s line thanks to Putin’s recalcitrance, this attack should prevent any progress for the foreseeable future.
In the David versus Goliath war in Ukraine, it appears that David is doing surprisingly well.
So, there ‘tis.
Once again Mr. Horist, the author forgot to say: “THANK YOU JOE BIDEN.”
This operation started on Joe Biden’s watch and although it’s Ukrainian 100%; if it weren’t; for Joe, it never would have happened. From the NYTimes in January of 25: “The development of a new generation of drones has revolutionized how wars are fought, according to U.S. officials. U.S. officials say they increased support for Ukrainian drone makers after Ukraine’s counteroffensive in 2023. The Biden administration declassified one last piece of information about how it has helped Ukraine: an account of its once-secret support for the country’s military drone industry. U.S. officials said on Thursday that they had made big investments that helped Ukraine start and expand its production of drones as it battled Russia’s larger and better-equipped army. Much of the U.S. assistance to the Ukrainian military, including billions of dollars in missiles, air defense systems, tanks, artillery and training, has been announced to the public. But other support has largely gone on in the shadows. That included helping Ukraine develop a new generation of drones and revolutionize how wars are fought, according to U.S. officials.
The innovations in Ukraine’s drone industry have been hailed as transformative, but the U.S. support has been less well understood. In addition to technical support, the U.S. has spent significant money, including $1.5 billion sent last September, to boost Ukraine’s drone production, officials said.”
Not to mention learning that the Russians protected planes in the open by putting old rubber tires on top. Oye. But the author leaves out the most important news from this story: we better tighten up our security, drone war is real. As on person said, this was 117 drones; imagine 1,000.
Joe Biden? Seriously???? You really are a Dunger. Biden doesn’t even know how to spell Russia or Ukraine. Don’t you idiots ever learn? And of course you hope that Trump fails even if it means the end of our country. Nonce!!!!
METH:
There was absolutely nothing inaccurate in my post.
You have shown no evidence that there is anything wrong in my post.
Drones have revolutionized how wars are fought.
U.S., under BIDEN, increased support for Ukrainian drone makers in 2023.
U.S., under BIDEN, made big investments that helped Ukraine start and expand its production of drones.
U.S., under BIDEN, spent over $1.5 billion to boost Ukraine’s drone production.
Those are the facts. Your venomous reply is bunk.
Larry, you were right on one thing, Putin did turn and retaliate soon after Ukraine’s drones destroyed a serious percentage of Putin’s air power. But, you know Putin does not do war according to the rules of engagement, as far as limiting loss of civilian life. He has the morality of the psychotic sadist that he has proven himself to be many times over.
He has been the dictator of Russia long enough that he is the master of his authoritarian trade and a mentor to Donald Trump both 1.0 and 2.0.
Although, Trump has not been the student of Putin that Putin is of Adolf Hitler’s. Trump gets no respect from Putin when Trump’s nickname is TACO.
There is an abiding stupidity in Trump that is apparent when he appoints self serving nincompoops to his cabinet positions. That’s his first stupid mistake. Another colossal head smacking beginners like idea is the tariff fiasco in combination with his ugliest POS legislation that ever was conceived by man AI couldn’t come up with a worse waste of time, most immoral tax shift away from health care, and greediest form of bait and switch taking from the 80% majority and gifting the 1% over compensated minority.
Putin’s oligarchy government is Trump’s model. Trump will not get away with his anti-American policies. Eventually and ultimately the majority will get sick and tired of him and his delusional manipulation of the GOP for his and his family’s enrichment in the many billions.
His so called spit with Musk is yet another manufactured distraction from his tariff failure dooming the economy at home and across the globe. His falling out with Elon was expected more sooner than latter. But, the two men wrecked disaster on government’s working for we the people and the least of us throughout the world.
How can any sane and intelligent person not see the DOGE debacle was meant to happen so Trump’s diplomatic embarrassment with Putin on obtaining a peace in Ukraine as promised, or at least a cease fire with consequences for Putin if transgressed.
TACO is weak and unimaginative as President, as a businessman, and in his managerial ability.
He is known for saying “you’re fired” on his reality TV scripted performances, but as President he can not confront face to face. When someone like Elon walks out. Trump says he fired Elon. At other occasions Trump orders a subordinate to inform someone. Now that Trump owns his own social media platform, his edicts made on impulse and terminations of staff members are from a podcast.
His mean spirited behavior was seen when DOGE directed memos be sent by email to tell 10’s of thousands who were federal employees that they were fired, jobs terminated, summarily dismissed, and thrown out like gutted fish.
Trump has no sense of the real world, US History, the US Constitution and its relation to the laws of the land, the oath he has twice sworn, and that the DOD is not there to use this pleasure.
Should Trump’s record of unlawful acts while in Trump 1.0 and just 6 months into Trump 2.0 become generally known and the consequences for them all totaled, and he was made accountable for all his numerous misdeeds while in office . It would be the worst travesty our judicial system ever oversaw if Trump was found immune from prosecution. He must be made accountable to we the people for his lies, misrepresentation of his true and only purposes for winning the presidency.
There can be no doubt, but that his purposes are as they have always been. To have and hold the authority granted the president to make money deals with whomever had the billions he wanted for evermore number of land projects eith his name on them.
His central driving mission his entire adult life has been to create and expand his name recognition and personal brand recognition world wide. That important people in government, religion, finance, banking, and political leadership positions would know the Trump name and bring his name into conversations that came with monetary beneficial deals. Trump sees himself as the number one person capable of solving problems that his followers bring.
Trump’s idea of what the truth is in circumstances he is facing comes down to his denial of what is an uncomfortable truth and his developing an alternate version of reality (truth) and broadcast his version far and wide until it gains prominence in the conspiracy theory arena.
When Trump’s conspiracy theories make the Fox and Network’s mention and approval, he count’s his fabricated version as a success. But, it’s a sad indictment of his moral4/ethical condition because he believed and buys into his own conspiracy theories. These, then, form the basis for pushing Project 2025, its formulas, and its several authors into cabinet secretaries and his policy advisors.
Trump decides his policy working on the information heard from the last person he spoke with. That person could be anyone he meets from service workers to some foreign dignitary. State secrets are to Trump like mere commodities traded in social conversations. No one should trust him with sharing a piece of chewing gum when you have him the full pack in the first place. That is the same for Putin.
Putin, Trump, Musk, and others who exhibit authoritarian, dictatorial, and autocratic behavior share a personality trait in common. They are narcissists. They are of the opinion that everyone and everything must work out to the narcissist’s personal benefit, advantage, and enrichment. They have no concern for other’s inconvenience or personal cost.
That’s why the Trump / Musk relationship was and is doomed to fail. Two billionaire narcissists make an odd couple. They have like personality disabilities but are devoid an ability to detect or appreciate other peoples’ personal perceptions. The narcissist is personally detached from others reality and how the narcissist effects other’s wellbeing and negative consequences scope.
In the case of Putin, as with narcissists in general, only the most severe consequences will halt them in their destructive intentions. Hitler’s was a narcissist. At his worst point and about to be either killed or taken captive. Hitler chose the plan he had previously worked out. Which was suicide.
Narcissists must have ultimate control in their situations, relative to their own freedoms to act and to others behavior as it relates to the narcissist’s wellbeing. When threatened with the potential possibility of losing control of their situation, the only
solution left to them is control of their end.
Loss of control and facing an accounting of their actions and consequences will bring personal embarrassment and loss of that which carries too great a cost. Personal status and name recognition as President, or someone of great importance, having wealth, and great power from wealth.
Narcissists are found in every class level, occupation, Education achieved, and in every race, gender, political party, and religion ( or lack there of).
Putin narcissistic personality is most probably a case of “nature”. He is a born narcissist who directed his life in a way that nurtured his tendencies toward control that proved beneficial.He instilled fear in others. Which worked to his success.
Trump, also, was born a narcissist by nature. His family culture nurtured his natural personality bent on gaining control over his circumstances where ever his life took him. He did whatever he had to, so his circumstances would lead him to better his situation. In the present case of Trump, he has created circumstances for himself, again, the could jeopardize his present situation as POTUS.
Narcissism and one’s ego are directly related . In fact, each intimately influences the other. Narcissism is fed by one’s elevated ego. Narcissistic achievements gorge and inflate the ego more. Which works to reinforce the narcissist’s behavior patterns.
The progression goes on unless the narcissistic individual crosses a cultural line or some legal hard line statute. Court judges can see a narcissist in the courtroom and show no mercy. as narcissists are rarely humble anywhere. Rather they are always arrogant and dismissive toward those who present a challenge to their personal autonomy.
From history we read about those who are kings and queens, leaders of nations, and people from all walks of life. They often run against the will and expectations of the law and other persons. They do not fair well if their attitude is left unchecked and appearing proud and arrogant like the narcissist.
Ukraine dominance for Putin could be his version of a bridge too far. ForTrump, his Watergate could be when the right’s influencers and Congressional representatives leave his control. They no longer fear his wrath and find he is TACO after all. They check Trump’s bluff and reveal him for the weak person hiding behind over privileged walls and money that will not save him.
In the end it the country all of us who are left with the bill Trump has run up, It’s a mortgage on out future paid off in huge installments until it’s paid in full. We and our children will be working off the debt that rebuilding our society back to our democratic roots
The mortgage term of payments will be determined by our progress on the reconstruction work.