Moscow calls Ukraine’s humiliating strike a ‘terrorist attack,’ Zelenskyy leaves Trump in the dark

Ahead of scheduled talks, conflict heated up in eastern Europe as Ukraine boasted of “Operation Spider’s Web,” more than 18 months in the making, as Russia cried “terrorist attack.”

While the United States was attempting to bring officials from Ukraine and Russia to the negotiating table to talk peace, it appeared that billions of dollars worth of taxpayer-funded aid was insufficient to warrant a warning of a drone strike on Sunday. According to a report from Fox News, the Pentagon was kept out of the loop when Ukraine took out some 40 Russian aircraft via drones smuggled into the country after over a year and a half of planning.

Dubbed “Operation Spider’s Web,” footage was circulated Sunday showing as drones fired upon bomber jets and surveillance aircraft that had entered Russia concealed in cabins transported on trucks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remarked on the report from Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk that he insisted “will undoubtedly be in history books,” and said on X, “An absolutely brilliant result. A result achieved solely by Ukraine. One year, six months, and nine days from the start of planning to effective execution,” as his security service estimated the damages at around $7 billion and claimed 34% of Russia’s strategic bomber had been hit.

Zelenskyy contended that it was the Russians who were acting against the interests of a ceasefire, as he stated, “We offered the Russians a ceasefire. Since March 11, the U.S. proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire has been on the table. It was the Russians who chose to continue the war — even under conditions where the entire world is calling for an end to the killing.”

Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk delivered a report regarding today’s operation. An absolutely brilliant result. 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… pic.twitter.com/oN41NFYyfw

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 1, 2025

Not for a single second did we want this war. We offered the Russians a ceasefire. Since March 11, the U.S. proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire has been on the table. It was the Russians who chose to continue the war – even under conditions where the entire world is…

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 1, 2025

Meanwhile, as Russia referred to the drone strike as a “terrorist attack,” officials reported two bridges had collapsed due to explosions, leading to train derailments and the death of seven people, as dozens more were injured. The Associated Press noted that officials had not detailed the source of the damage and “the word ‘explosions’ was later removed from an Investigative Committee press release.”

The strike came a day ahead of a planned U.S.-brokered meeting in Istanbul, out of which Ukraine is seeking a 30-day ceasefire to accommodate peace talks.

During an Oval Office press conference Friday, Trump referred to both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin as “stubborn” as Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy asked if Putin is the “good guy” or “bad guy.”

“I have gotten to see things that I was very surprised at: rockets being shot into cities like Kyiv during a negotiation that I felt was maybe very close to ending. We were gonna solve a problem and then all of a sudden rockets got shot into a couple of cities and people died. I saw things that I was surprised at. So — and I don’t like being surprised — so, I’m very disappointed in that way.”

(Video Credit: Fox News)

U.S. officials had confirmed to Fox News that the White House had not been apprised of the attack in advance and estimated that it was more likely that 11 to 15 aircraft were hit during the drone strike.

Staff Writer

Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn’t researching current events and their impacts, you’ll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.

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