Several retiring American military commanders reacted on Sunday after Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack on military aircraft deep inside Russia, with one joking that Russian President Vladimir Putin „is having a very bad day.”
With 41 military aircraft affected, the drone attack from Ukraine has been described by some commentators as Russia’s „Pearl Harbor,” referring to Japan’s surprise aerial raid in December 1941 on the US naval base in Hawaii during World War II, notes Newsweek.
The reference to the Pearl Harbor incident that led the United States into World War II belongs to journalist Murtaza Hussain, who wrote on X on Sunday: "Despite losing territory due to Russian advances in recent months, Ukraine has pulled off a modern Pearl Harbor. I would brace for serious reprisals."
Russian military blogger Roman Alekhine, who wrote on Telegram after Ukraine's stunning attack, also made reference to the Pearl Harbor attack and invoked the need for a strong Moscow response: "This is Russia's 'Pearl Harbor.' We hope the response will be the same as the US response to the attack on Pearl Harbor, or even harsher."
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Kiev's attack took place after recent Russian troop advances in the Sumy border region.
According to Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), the operation was carried out using FPV (first-person-view) drones clandestinely introduced into Russia and hidden in wooden cabins mounted on trucks. At a critical moment, the cabin roofs were remotely opened, and the drones were launched directly towards the target aircraft.
The Modern Version of the Trojan Horse
This ingenious plan, perfectly executed from such a distance and with devastating effects on Russia's military capability, has excited former American army commanders.
"For months, some believed Ukraine had 'no aces.' Many of us rejected this claim, saying that a turning point - due to Russia's war economy failures and continued lack of Russian leadership adaptation, but especially because of a strong Ukrainian government, military support, and Ukrainian population, combined with their innovative use of special operations, unmanned systems (various drones), and fiber optic capabilities to counter Russian drones - would soon be felt on the battlefield," wrote Lieutenant General Mark Hertling, former commander of the US Army in Europe, on X on Sunday.
"Today's coordinated and synchronized attack, which seems to have decimated a large part of the Russian air fleet over 4,000 km from the front line, shows that Ukraine definitely has many aces up its sleeve," he added.
Retired US Navy Admiral James Stavridis, former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO in Europe, mocked Vladimir Putin, writing on X: "Vlad is having a very bad day."
In another post, he added: "You reap what you sow, Putin."
On Sunday afternoon, Stavridis described Ukraine's attack as "remarkable" on CNN. "I'm Greek-American, so I have to say this. It's a kind of Trojan horse. Those wooden crates brought into the country, from which those 'warriors' who destroyed all the planes suddenly emerged - without any actual people being there — truly represent a remarkable military feat," he said.
Former Illinois Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger also aligned with the generals' opinions, writing on X: "Important to note: targeting Russian bombers is COMPLETELY LEGAL and expected in a war. A Russian response will target civilians and be a war crime. But it's Russia. They've bombed hospitals in Ukraine and Syria. They are... a terrorist state."
The New "Pearl Harbor," a Rare Chance for Diplomacy
The operation, named "Spider Web," was planned for a year and a half and marks one of the most ambitious and daring actions carried out by Ukraine deep inside Russian territory since the beginning of the war.
Ukraine launched the surprising attack while peace talks continue, but with insignificant results in recent days.
Ukraine sent a delegation to Istanbul on Monday for a new round of direct peace talks with Russia. The meeting in Turkey represents a rare opportunity for diplomacy as armed confrontations remain active on multiple fronts and the toll of victims continues to rise on both sides.
T.D.