Danish PM backs Ukrainian strikes on Russian airbases
Photo: Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen (Getty Images)
The attack on several Russian air bases shows that Kyiv is successfully defending itself. Ukraine has the right to do so, says Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
"I think they (Ukraine) have the right to defend themselves and sometimes it includes pushing back so it seems that it has been successful," Frederiksen said in Vilnius when asked to comment on the strike.
At a meeting of Nordic, Baltic, and Eastern European leaders in the Lithuanian capital, Frederiksen also said it was crucial to focus on rearming Europe.
"Russia is a threat to all of us and therefore we need to strengthen our Eastern flank... We have to push for a ceasefire still but at the same time we have to do what is needed at the battlefield in Ukraine so they can actually win this war," she said.
Elimination of long-range Russian aviation
On June 1, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) carried out an attack codenamed Operation Spiderweb, which had been planned for more than a year and a half.
SBU drones attacked several Russian air bases at once. The drones hit four military bases: Belaya, Dyagilevo, Olenya, and Ivanovo.
According to SBU Head Vasyl Malyuk, the drone strikes hit 41 Russian strategic aviation aircraft, including A-50, Tu-95, Tu-22 M3, and Tu-160.
"In total, 34% of strategic cruise missile carriers at the main Russian airfields were hit. It was not just a devastating blow to Russian aircraft, but a serious slap in the face to the power and terrorist nature of Russia," emphasized Vasyl Malyuk.
The estimated cost of the destroyed Russian strategic aviation is $7 billion.
