Ukraine recently launched its “Web” operation, targeting and destroying a number of key Russian strategic bombers and other critical military assets. This has sparked a comprehensive counterattack from Russia. U.S. officials on June 7 indicated that Russia’s retaliation has “not fully materialized yet.”
According to U.S. sources, while it’s unclear exactly when Russia will initiate its full-scale revenge, the counterstrike is expected within the next few days. It’s likely to involve a combination of missiles, drones, and other aerial warfare tactics, making it a “large-scale, multi-pronged assault.”
Reports suggest that Russia’s response will be “asymmetric,” meaning it won’t simply mirror Ukraine’s “Web” operation by launching drone strikes on Russian military airports. A Western diplomatic source also indicated that Russia’s retaliatory measures may escalate in intensity, targeting symbolic Ukrainian landmarks, such as government buildings, to send a direct message to Kyiv.
“This strike will be colossal, brutal, and relentless,” said a senior diplomat from a Western nation. As of now, neither the Russian nor Ukrainian embassies in the U.S. nor the White House have made any official comment.
Michael Kofman, a Russian affairs expert with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, speculated that Russia might target the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), which played a key role in orchestrating the “Web” operation. According to Ukrainian sources, the operation was planned over 18 months and coordinated directly by President Zelensky, with SBU chief Maluk leading the execution.
“They’re likely to try to retaliate against the SBU headquarters or other intelligence buildings across Ukraine,” Kofman explained. In a bid to send a clear warning, Russia might use medium-range ballistic missiles. Ukrainian defense manufacturing centers could also be on the target list.
Earlier, on June 1, Ukraine carried out the “Web” operation, secretly transporting a large number of drones to multiple strategic Russian airbases and launching surprise strikes, inflicting significant damage on Russia’s strategic air capabilities. Meanwhile, key infrastructure in Russia, including bridges and railways, has been repeatedly attacked or targeted in failed attempts. Russia has accused Ukraine of orchestrating these attacks, labeling the “Kyiv regime” as a terrorist organization.
In retaliation, Russia has launched several counterattacks on Ukraine. On June 6, Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported that in the past week, Russian forces carried out six cluster strikes on Ukrainian targets using precision-guided weapons and attack drones. The targets included defense industry sites, military airfields, drone storage and launch facilities, ammunition depots, and troop deployment areas. On June 7, Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported another round of long-range strikes against Ukrainian military targets.
Ukrainian media also reported that after the “Web” operation, Russian attacks on Sumy and Kharkiv regions have noticeably intensified. Both Russian and Ukrainian experts believe that Russia will increase its large-scale long-range strikes in the coming days, while also advancing its efforts to establish a “security buffer zone.”
As of June 8, the long-range strikes between the two sides continue. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that overnight, Russian forces launched 49 drones from regions like Kursk and Rostov into Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian air defense systems intercepted 40 of the incoming drones, while five sites inside Ukraine were hit. Russia also launched one anti-ship missile and two cruise missiles at Ukrainian targets. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that several locations in Russia were hit by nearly a hundred Ukrainian drones.
On the ground, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported on June 8 that the 90th Tank Division, part of the Russian “Central” operational grouping, had reached the western border of Donetsk and was continuing westward into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. This marks the first time in over three years of conflict that Russian forces have extended their offensive into Dnipropetrovsk. Some foreign media view this as a significant escalation in the territorial dispute between Russia and Ukraine.