Russia has responded by issuing a chilling threat after Ukraine completed its biggest long-range attack of the war with Russia on Sunday (June 1). It used smuggled drones to launch a series of major strikes on at least 40 Russian warplanes at several military bases.
However, Russia has reacted to Ukraine’s drone raid, with one of Vladimir Putin’s key allies suggesting that Russia would take revenge. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s security council and the man who served as the country’s president from 2008 to 2012, took to Telegram on Tuesday (June 3) to make the cryptic comments. According to Volodymyr Zelensky, 117 drones were used in the “Spider’s Web” operation by the SBU security service, striking “34% of [Russia’s] strategic cruise missile carriers”. The raid is said to have cost the Kremlin as much as £5.2 billion.
“To all who are worried and waiting for retribution,” Medvedev said. “You need to worry – this is a normal person’s quality.”
He then added a chilling three-word threat: “Retribution is inevitable”.
Following the successful drone strikes, Zelensky said: “A result achieved solely by Ukraine. One year, six months, and nine days from the start of planning to effective execution. Our most long-range operation.
“Our people involved in preparing the operation were withdrawn from Russian territory in time. I thanked General Maliuk for this success of Ukraine.
“I instructed the Security Service of Ukraine to inform the public about the details and results of the operation that can be disclosed. Of course, not everything can be revealed at this moment, but these are Ukrainian actions that will undoubtedly be in history books.
“Ukraine is defending itself, and rightly so – we are doing everything to make Russia feel the need to end this war. Russia started this war, Russia must end it. Glory to Ukraine!”
Russia confirmed Ukrainian attacks in five regions, calling them a “terrorist act”. Not even 24 hours later, Ukrainian and Russian officials met to agree on a large-scale prisoner swap as ceasefire talks continue.
