Ukraine's drone attack was overstated; Western intel likely helped. Targeting nukes marks a serious escalation seen by Russia as an act of war.

Nima Rostami Alkhorshid:

1. Do you believe the Ukrainian drone attack on Russian military bases was exaggerated by the media?

2. Was this operation conducted independently by Ukraine, or did Western intelligence agencies play a role?

3. How significant is the targeting of Russia’s nuclear-capable assets in terms of escalation?

Larry C. Johnson:

1. Yes, the damage was overstated—Ukraine claimed 40 planes hit, but only 5 to 7 were actually damaged or destroyed.

2. This was not a solo Ukrainian operation; British intelligence was likely involved, and U.S. involvement cannot be ruled out.

3. The attack targeted Russia’s strategic nuclear triad, which Russia sees as a major escalation and an act of war.