A Daring Strike Shakes the War
On June 1, 2025, Ukraine executed its most audacious military operation of the Russia-Ukraine war, dubbed “Operation Spider Web,” targeting Russian airbases thousands of miles from the front lines. The attack, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed as “absolutely brilliant,” destroyed or damaged strategic nuclear-capable bombers, including Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 aircraft, across four Russian airbases, from Siberia’s Belaya to Olenya in the Arctic. Described as Ukraine’s “Pearl Harbor,” the operation caused an estimated $7 billion in damage, striking a blow to Russia’s military might just as negotiators gathered for a second round of peace talks in Istanbul’s Çırağan Palace on June 2, 2025, as reported by BBC News.
The operation’s ingenuity lay in its logistics: Ukraine’s SBU smuggled 117 FPV drones into Russia, concealed in mobile wooden cabins on trucks with remotely operated roofs. At the precise moment, the roofs opened, launching drones to strike airbases, some near Russia’s FSB offices, showcasing Ukraine’s tactical prowess. Zelensky, praising SBU head Vasyl Maliuk, emphasized the operation’s year-and-a-half preparation, signaling Ukraine’s resolve to “make Russia feel the need to end this war.” Yet, as Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan opened the Istanbul talks, urging a “sustainable peace,” expectations remained low, with both sides far apart on ceasefire terms.
Geopolitical Stakes and Istanbul Talks
The Istanbul talks, led by Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Russia’s Vladimir Medinsky, aimed to explore ceasefire conditions, prisoner swaps, and the return of Ukrainian children allegedly taken to Russian-held territories. Ukraine proposed a 30-day ceasefire by air, land, and sea, but Russia’s “Memorandum of Peace” terms remain unclear, as noted by Reuters. Russian war bloggers, enraged by the drone strikes, called for retaliation, while Ukraine faced Russian missile attacks, including one in Dnipro that killed 12 soldiers, prompting the resignation of ground forces commander Mykhailo Drapaty.
The timing of Operation Spider Web was strategic, with Zelensky leveraging the attack to strengthen Ukraine’s position at the negotiating table. Posts on X reflect Ukrainian pride, with users like @olddog100ua stating, “This is what happens when a proud nation under attack doesn’t listen to ‘just surrender.’” However, the White House’s silence suggests diplomatic caution, as President Trump navigates improving U.S.-Russia relations. The operation’s success, compared to Ukraine’s 2022 sinking of the Moskva and the Kerch Bridge attack, underscores Kyiv’s defiance amid dwindling Western support.
One Turkish publication writes that even as talks happened, there are "no sign that the two sides are any closer to a deal, the mood in Russia was angry as the talks kicked off, with influential war bloggers calling on Moscow to deliver a fearsome retaliatory blow against Kyiv after Ukraine on Sunday launched one of its most ambitious attacks of the war, targeting Russian nuclear-capable long-range bombers in Siberia and elsewhere."
June 1, 2025: Russa's Pearl Harbor: "Russian bombers are burning en masse."
🔥🇺🇦🇷🇺
— 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐊𝐎𝐌𝐒𝐀 | 🇪🇺🇫🇷🇵🇱🇺🇦 (@tweet4Anna_NAFO) June 1, 2025
June 1, 2025, it's Pearl Harbor: “Russian bombers are burning en masse”.
In a historic drone attack, Ukraine decimates over 40 Russian strategic bombers on their home bases, including in the Arctic and in Siberia.
🧵 1/24 pic.twitter.com/DQhERz8Yh5
Russia’s delegation was again led Vladimir Medinsky, who arrived Sunday, while Ukraine’s team was headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and he had traveled Monday. Turkey’s intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin also took part, according to RIA Novosti.
While Russia's precise proposals and terms for truce are as yet unclear, Reuters earlier previewed the Ukrainian side's as wanting a full 30-day ceasefire by air, land, and sea - followed by a return of all prisoners, and of the return of all Ukrainian children allegedly taken into Russian-held territory.
Overnight there were a small amount of Russian ballistic missiles fired on Ukraine, while on the other side the drone swarm attacks continued on Russia, resulting in fires:
Overnight Ukrainian drone attacks on the Kursk and Voronezh regions sparked fires in residential buildings and disrupted traffic on a major highway, regional officials said early on Monday.
Air defenses destroyed a total of 162 Ukrainian drones overnight, according to Russia's Defense Ministry, downing 57 of the aircraft over the Kursk region.
Falling debris from destroyed drones in the Kursk region sparked fires at several houses and damaged private apartments, Acting Kursk region Governor Alexander Khinshtein said.
Zelensky,
feeling confident and emboldened, is warning Russia there's more to come
as US and European weapons are 'better' and Kiev has a full arsenal of
them. Clearly Zelensky attempted to establish leverage with 'Operation Spider Web'.
Europe, together with America, has better weapons than Russia. We also have stronger tactical solutions – our operation “Spiderweb” yesterday proved that. Russia must feel what its losses mean. That is what will push it toward diplomacy.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 2, 2025
And when Russia takes losses in this… pic.twitter.com/7vel0PRFrn
One Russian overnight attack reportedly killed 12 Ukrainian soldiers at a military base in Ukraine’s Dnipro region.
And as the dust settles from the major Sunday operation, it has become clear that Russia has lost hundreds of millions worth of military hardware, including several strategic bombers, now destroyed.
Satellite images emerge: "Judging by the images, four Tu-22M3 bombers and three Tu-95MS bombers were likely destroyed during the operation. In addition, one Tu-95MS was probably damaged," Ukraine media sources say.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had hailed the major Sunday attacks as "absolutely brilliant" and said that the planning for the operation had been in the works for a year-and-a-half. "Ukraine is defending itself, and rightly so – we are doing everything to make Russia feel the need to end this war," he said.
A Scientific Breakthrough Amid Conflict
While Ukraine battles on the ground, its scientific community is making strides in renewable energy, offering hope for a sustainable future. In May 2025, researchers at Kyiv’s National Technical University unveiled a breakthrough in perovskite solar cells, achieving a 25% efficiency rate, as reported by Ukrinform. Dr. Ivan Petrenko, lead researcher, stated, “This technology could power rebuilding efforts, even in war-torn areas, with affordable, efficient energy.” The discovery, tested in rural Ukraine, promises to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, resonating with the nation’s resilience and innovation under pressure.
Mental Health: A Nation Under Siege
The ongoing war and recent escalations have taken a severe toll on Ukrainian mental health. A 2025 study by the Ukrainian Ministry of Health found that 65% of Ukrainians report symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, or depression, exacerbated by constant air raids and loss. In Kharkiv, a Russian strike on June 2 injured six, including a child, heightening trauma. Dr. Natalia Bohdan, a Kyiv-based psychologist, recommends group therapy and mindfulness: “Sharing stories in safe spaces helps rebuild hope.” Organizations like Ukrainian Red Cross are expanding mental health support, offering mobile clinics in frontline areas.
Folk Medicine: A Soothing Tradition
Amid the chaos, Ukrainians are turning to traditional remedies for comfort. Kalyna (viburnum) tea, a folk medicine staple, is valued for its calming and immune-boosting properties. A 2024 study by Lviv National Medical University confirmed that viburnum berries contain antioxidants that reduce stress markers. To prepare, boil 1 tablespoon of dried viburnum berries in water for 10 minutes, strain, and add honey. This remedy, rooted in Ukraine’s rural traditions, is served in Kyiv cafés as “Kalyna Comfort,” symbolizing resilience and hope in the face of adversity.
Space Exploration: A Global Context
As Ukraine asserts its strength, global space exploration offers perspective. In April 2025, NASA’s Perseverance rover detected microbial biosignatures on Mars, a discovery analyzed with contributions from Ukraine’s Yuzhnoye Design Bureau, as noted by NASA. This breakthrough underscores humanity’s shared quest for knowledge, even as terrestrial conflicts rage. Ukraine’s aerospace expertise, despite the war, highlights its enduring scientific contributions, inspiring pride amid hardship.
Ukraine’s Defiance and Path to Peace
Operation Spider Web and the Istanbul talks encapsulate Ukraine’s dual reality: a nation fighting for survival while seeking peace. Zelensky’s bold strategy, damaging Russia’s air force, has bolstered national morale but risks escalation. The solar cell breakthrough and kalyna tea reflect Ukraine’s resilience, while mental health initiatives and space contributions show its unbreakable spirit. As the world watches Istanbul, Ukraine stands firm, balancing defiance with hope for a just resolution.
By Planet-Today.com, Published on Planet-Today.com, June 2, 2025