NATO Anticipates Putins Response to Ukraines Spider’s Web Operation: Heightened Risks Ahead

BRUSSELS — NATO anticipates that President Vladimir Putin will respond to Ukraine’s bold «Spider’s Web» drone operation, which significantly impacted Russia’s strategic air bases, according to a senior NATO official who spoke with The Moscow Times.

«There will certainly be retaliatory measures taken by Russia, as well as defensive actions,» the official stated, requesting anonymity before the alliance’s defense ministers meeting.

The official cautioned that these retaliatory actions might involve an increase in Russian airstrikes against Ukraine.

«Russia hasn’t required much provocation for severe strikes thus far. It’s likely that they will leverage this situation to justify further, more intense strikes, while also possibly stalling negotiations,» the official noted.

While the official mentioned being aware of additional specifics regarding Moscow’s potential retaliation preparations, he opted not to disclose them.

A second senior NATO official confirmed that the alliance had independently verified the damage caused to Russia’s strategic aviation fleet due to the Ukrainian operation.

He refrained from commenting on whether the Ukrainian military had utilized intelligence from NATO members in executing the covert operation.

«Ukrainian forces managed to inflict damage on over 40 Russian aircraft. Between ten and thirteen of those were destroyed, including at least one A-50 reconnaissance plane,» the second official revealed.

«I can’t confirm if intelligence from any allies was involved. However, I would like to emphasize that the locations of Russia’s strategic aviation bases are publicly available information,» the NATO official added.

He did not clarify how many of the destroyed aircraft were fully operational and engaged in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as opposed to those that were inactive or repurposed for spare parts.

«Is there a risk of escalation from Moscow? I believe there’s always a potential for escalation,» he concluded.