05 Jun SITREP | Two for One… in Three Days: Ukraine shocks Russia with drone innovation
By,
Octavio Perez, Senior Fellow | MSI2
Between June 1 and June 3, 2025, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) executed two significant strikes against the Russian Federation. These actions occurred amidst ongoing third-level negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul, Turkey.
The first strike took place on June 1, when 171 drones—believed to be preprogrammed and remotely activated—simultaneously attacked five Russian strategic air bases. These included Ukrainka in Pacific Siberia, Belaya in Central Siberia, Olenya in the Arctic Circle, and Ivanovo and Dyagilevo, west of Moscow.
The second strike occurred on June 3, when footage released by the Ukrainian armed forces depicted an underwater explosion targeting the structural base of a critical pylon on the Kerch Bridge in occupied Crimea.
Despite ongoing bilateral discussions, which are expected to yield little beyond a prisoner exchange already agreed upon, these two events could act as a catalyst for further negotiation. However, Russia responded aggressively. On the morning of June 1, Russian forces launched 472 drones and seven ballistic missiles against multiple Ukrainian regions. An unconventional way to begin diplomatic talks.
Subject matter experts (SMEs) have since begun offering analysis and raising questions, including: Did the United States play any role in these attacks, through intelligence, logistical, or operational support?
Open-source reporting highlights several relevant points:
- The United States has supplied explosives and weapons to Ukraine, except during brief negotiation windows.
- Satellite imagery and intelligence support have been provided, reportedly in collaboration with NATO allies.
- According to other sources—and President Zelensky himself—planning for the operation began as early as November 2023.
- U.S. advisors have been present in Ukraine throughout this timeframe.
In the world of intelligence, events are neither confirmed nor denied. Official silence from governments is expected.
Still, public discourse has shifted toward a critical question: How secure is the United States from a similar drone-based threat? Are our military bases—and even major cities—prepared?
For decades, concerns have evolved—from Soviet-era ballistic missiles concealed in trains to mobile launchers (MTELs), and North Korea’s alleged missile-in-container strategy. Today, drone warfare has transformed modern combat, both in conventional military doctrine and asymmetrical engagements.
Ukraine has emerged as a drone powerhouse, reportedly producing over one million units annually. Unlike the large, state-operated MQ-9 Reaper UAVs, Ukraine’s arsenal consists of kamikaze (self-destruct) drones and loitering munitions, deployed tactically and strategically.
Many of these systems integrate foreign technology, beginning with Chinese commercial drones and extending to components and platforms from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. This demand has driven significant domestic innovation, exemplified by the swarm drone attacks earlier this month.
The logistics behind such an operation—designing containers, fitting them onto trucks, recruiting drivers unaware of their cargo, transporting them into Russian territory, and remotely activating the units after months of dormancy—demonstrate remarkable complexity and coordination. Collaboration was likely. But between which actors? What level of involvement? How did drones reach as far as the Arctic Circle or Siberia?
The key to unraveling these questions lies in the precise timing and execution. Monitoring platforms capable of near-real-time (NRT) imagery—especially at night—include geosynchronous satellites equipped with digital imaging and Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar System (ASARS), which can also penetrate cloud cover. Only a few global actors possess such capabilities.
Additionally, commercial firms like ICEYE operate synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites, while Maxar Technologies and DigitalGlobe provide high-resolution satellite photography. These platforms may also have been employed to support the operation.
The answer remains airborne—decide for yourself where it came from.
References
Associated Press. (2025, June 3). Ukraine’s drone attack on Russian warplanes was a serious blow to the Kremlin’s strategic arsenal. https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drone-attack-bomber-d9078d989efcec36ec65ddfedfd2b3a5
BBC News. (2025, June). Ukraine’s audacious drone attack sends critical message to Russia – and the West. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0r1jv0rn0ko
BBC News. (2025, June 3). Ukraine drones strike bombers during major attack in Russia. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1ld7ppre9vo
MacFarquhar, N. (2025, June 2). Ukraine Shows It Can Still Flip the Script on How Wars Are Waged. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/02/us/politics/ukraine-russia-drone-attack.html
Parker, J. (2025, June 3). Ukraine’s Drone Strikes Against Russia Could Become the Global Norm. TIME. https://time.com/7290551/ukraines-drone-strikes-against-russia-could-soon-become-the-global-norm/
Trevithick, J. (2025, June 3). Latest on Russian aircraft loss assessments from Ukrainian drone strikes. The War Zone. https://www.twz.com/air/latest-on-russian-aircraft-loss-assessments-from-ukrainian-drone-strikes
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Miami Strategic Intelligence Institute (MSI²).