Russia Likely to Retaliate Against Ukraine's Air Base Raid... May Use Medium-Range Ballistic Missiles

Various Aerial Assets Such as Missiles and Drones Expected to Be Used

Claims have emerged that Russia is likely to launch retaliatory strikes within the next few days in response to Ukraine's surprise attack on its air bases.

According to U.S. media reports on June 7 (local time), U.S. officials have stated that although Russia has carried out intense drone attacks on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv the previous day, and continued large-scale air raids on cities such as Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, these attacks are not considered to be the anticipated retaliation that had been previously warned.

One official predicted that a full-scale response could come within days, while another anticipated that Russia would employ a variety of aerial assets, including missiles and drones.

There is also speculation that, unlike Ukraine, which targeted bombers on Russian territory, Russia may target different objectives. According to one diplomatic source, Russia may intensify attacks on symbolic targets within Ukraine, such as government buildings, to send a clear message to Ukraine.

Michael Kofman, a senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, suggested that Russia may seek to punish the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), which led the drone attacks targeting Russian military bombers.

He also argued that Russia might use medium-range ballistic missiles in this round of attacks to send a message of retribution. "They are highly likely to attempt retaliation against the SBU headquarters or intelligence agency buildings in the Darnytskyi district," he said, adding that Russian strikes could also target defense industry facilities within Ukraine.

Previously, on June 1, Ukraine claimed to have launched a surprise attack using 117 drones on four air bases located in Irkutsk, Murmansk, Ryazan, and Ivanovo regions of Russia, destroying 41 military aircraft, including strategic bombers.

Russia immediately declared it would retaliate. On June 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin also expressed a strong determination to respond during a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump.