Ukraine's drone strike rattles Kremlin, exposes vulnerabilities
The Sunday attack by Ukrainian drones on Russian bomber bases shook the Kremlin but did not significantly reduce Russia's military potential, according to Bloomberg News. It also added that the action by the Ukrainian military undermined Putin's image.
What do you need to know?
- Ukrainian drone attack: On Sunday, Ukrainian drones attacked Russian bomber bases.
- According to Bloomberg, the attack undermined Putin's image and unsettled the Kremlin environment.
- Aftermath of the raid: Western experts assess the damage as significant, although Moscow and Kyiv differ in their assessment of the number of damaged aircraft.
The Sunday attack by Ukrainian drones on Russian bomber bases, while it did not significantly diminish Russia's military potential, undermined Putin's image and unsettled the Kremlin environment, according to news agencies.
Bloomberg reported that the raid on the bases, where Tu-160, Tu-95, and Tu-22 M3 bombers are stationed, was a direct blow to aviation resources. Western experts are still evaluating the effects of the raid, and the damage was described as "significant" by one high-ranking official.
Did the attack affect Russia's nuclear triad?
According to Dmitry Stefanovich from the Centre for International Security in Moscow, the attack is expected to have a minor impact on Russia's nuclear forces, which primarily rely on intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarines. However, the mere fact of a precise hit on the bases was a blow to Russia's deterrence capabilities.
Thomas Withington, an air defence specialist, noted that Ukrainian forces revealed the "inability of Russian air defences to protect key strategic assets."
What are the international consequences of the attack?
Sanctions imposed on Russia will make it difficult for them to acquire parts and technology needed to repair damaged equipment. Bloomberg noted that any limitation on Russian aviation resources is good news for European governments. Thomas Withington emphasized that by removing strategic bombers from the fight, Ukraine helped reduce the threat in this area to NATO and its allies.
