Ukraine's drone strikes cripple Russian logistics as experts warn of Putin's covert attacks in Europe

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the year‑long "Operation Spinnennetz" has dealt a "brilliant success" to Russian supply lines, using long‑range drones to strike deep behind enemy lines in the south, east and occupied territories such as Luhansk and Crimea. The attacks have disrupted the Russian military's ability to move personnel and materiel, creating logistical shortages and slowing its advance.

Russian‑focus expert Michail Chodorkowski warned that, while Russia's conventional forces are weakened, Putin continues to employ hybrid tactics in Europe. He said covert Russian operatives and recruited criminals are already active in the United Kingdom, citing past incidents such as the Litvinenko poisoning, the Skripal nerve‑agent attack, and a 2023 fire on a humanitarian depot in London. Chodorkowski described these as part of a broader strategy to destabilise and intimidate European allies.

Together, the Ukrainian drone campaign and the alleged Russian covert network illustrate the evolving, multidimensional nature of the Ukraine war and its spill‑over risks for Europe.