President Donald Trump has privately praised Ukraine’s recent drone offensive against major Russian air bases, but at the same time voiced concern that the operation could set back fragile diplomatic efforts to halt the war. This was reported by sources familiar with the matter in a Axios investigation.
According to several people in his inner circle, Trump described the attack as “remarkably executed” and noted its boldness. One aide recounted Trump’s reaction as admiring, calling the operation “intense and skillful.” Another compared Ukraine’s tactical achievement to “a small force landing a heavy blow on a superior adversary.”
Despite this admiration, Trump reportedly warned that the move might provoke a severe Russian counter-response. Speaking about a recent phone conversation with President Vladimir Putin, Trump said the Russian leader “expressed himself in no uncertain terms” and indicated that Moscow would retaliate.
“It was a meaningful exchange,” Trump told his team, “though not one that brings us closer to a ceasefire.”
People close to the president indicated he is troubled by the potential fallout. While he has encouraged diplomatic engagement, he now fears the attack may derail recent momentum, including initial direct contact between Ukrainian and Russian representatives for the first time in years.
“He’s deeply frustrated by any development that extends the conflict,” a senior official said. “Every strike, no matter how tactically impressive, risks prolonging the violence he’s working to end.”
Particularly troubling to U.S. officials is the nature of the targets struck: Russia’s long-range strategic bombers capable of carrying nuclear warheads. One government representative noted, “This is an extremely sensitive moment.”
In parallel, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) released video evidence of the complex mission, dubbed “Spider’s Web.” Ukrainian forces reportedly used advanced FPV drones to target four airfields inside Russian territory: Olenya, Ivanovo, Dyagilevo, and Belaya. These sites have been used to launch air raids against Ukrainian cities, the SBU said.
According to Ukrainian sources, the strikes disabled or destroyed over 40 military aircraft, including Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 bombers, A-50 surveillance planes, Il-78 refuelers, and An-12 transporters. Some were said to be irreparably damaged; others could take years to restore. Total estimated losses exceed $7 billion.
Notably, the operation included drones equipped with AI systems capable of completing missions even after losing remote contact. The aircraft continued navigating via pre-programmed routes and automatically detonated on impact.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk personally oversaw the operation, which analysts are calling one of the most technologically advanced and symbolically significant strikes of the conflict to date.
