Russian Drone-Missile Attack Kills 4 in Kyiv, Is This Putin’s Revenge?
berbagiberkat.com – On the night of June 5, 2025, Russia launched a massive barrage of drones and missiles targeting Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, resulting in at least four deaths and 20 injuries, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko. The attack, one of the largest in the ongoing war, damaged infrastructure, including metro tracks and residential buildings, as air defenses struggled against 407 drones, 38 cruise missiles, six ballistic missiles, and an anti-radar missile. This assault came days after Ukraine’s audacious “Operation Spiderweb,” a drone strike that destroyed over 40 Russian warplanes, raising questions: Was this Russia’s retaliation, driven by President Vladimir Putin’s vow for revenge?
The Attack on Kyiv
The assault began with the ominous buzz of Russian kamikaze drones, followed by ballistic and cruise missile strikes. Ukrainian air defenses downed 406 of the 452 projectiles, but the sheer volume overwhelmed systems, causing explosions across Kyiv and other regions like Chernihiv and Ternopil. A Shahed drone struck near a Chernihiv apartment building, shattering windows, while metro tracks in Kyiv were damaged. Firefighters and residents faced chaos, with reports of a “double tap” strike targeting first responders, injuring three firefighters.
Operation Spiderweb: Ukraine’s Bold Move
The attack followed Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb on June 1, 2025, a meticulously planned strike using 117 drones smuggled into Russia. Launched from trucks near airbases, the drones targeted four Russian airfields, destroying 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers, including Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers, costing an estimated £1.5 billion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called it a historic blow, boosting morale amid Russia’s advances in Donetsk and Sumy. The operation, kept secret even from the U.S., showcased Ukraine’s growing drone warfare capabilities, with AI-guided drones hitting targets as far as Siberia.
Putin’s Vow for Revenge
In a call with U.S. President Donald Trump on June 4, Putin expressed fury, stating Russia “will have to respond” to Ukraine’s strikes, which he labeled “state terrorism.” Trump, describing the conversation, noted Putin’s intent to retaliate, warning it “won’t be pretty.” The Kremlin later confirmed it would choose “how and when” to respond, signaling a calculated escalation. Russia’s Defense Ministry framed the Kyiv attack as a response to Ukraine’s “terrorist acts,” directly linking it to Operation Spiderweb.
Was This Retaliation?
The timing and scale of the Kyiv attack strongly suggest it was Putin’s promised retaliation. Russia’s barrage, involving over 400 drones and 40 missiles, mirrors its pattern of retaliatory strikes following Ukrainian successes, such as the 2022 Moskva sinking or Kerch Bridge attacks. Pro-Kremlin sources called Operation Spiderweb “Russia’s Pearl Harbor,” highlighting its psychological and strategic impact, which likely provoked the intense response. However, Russia’s reduced deployment of only two Tu-95 and two Tu-160 bombers in the attack may reflect losses from Ukraine’s strikes, limiting its capacity.
Broader Context and Implications
The attack occurs amid stalled peace talks in Istanbul, where Russia rejected Ukraine’s demand for an unconditional ceasefire. Russian forces continue advancing in Sumy and Donetsk, while Ukraine intensifies sabotage, including bridge attacks in Russia. Trump’s comments, comparing the war to a “kids’ fight” and suggesting letting both sides “fight for a while,” have drawn criticism for undermining peace efforts. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s ability to strike deep into Russia challenges Putin’s narrative of invulnerability, potentially forcing a reassessment of Russia’s military vulnerabilities.
The deadly Russian attack on Kyiv, killing four and injuring dozens, appears to be a direct response to Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb, aligning with Putin’s vow for revenge. As both sides escalate, with Ukraine leveraging advanced drone tactics and Russia intensifying bombardments, the war’s toll on civilians and infrastructure grows. The international community, including figures like Trump, faces pressure to mediate, but prospects for peace remain dim. This cycle of retaliation underscores the conflict’s brutality and the urgent need for diplomatic breakthroughs.
