Espreso. Global

Russia instills fear, launches repressions following Ukraine's Spider's Web operation

4 June, 2025 Wednesday
18:50

After Ukraine's Security Service ran the Spider's Web operation, Russia started cracking down hard. State media is blowing up with reports of "Ukrainian saboteurs" and "SBU agents" getting arrested all over Russia and the occupied territories

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The Center for Counteracting Disinformation reported the information.

These propaganda reports feature the usual “on-camera confessions,” but, as always, no real evidence or proof of the alleged plots is ever made public.

Why is Russia doing this?

According to the Center for Countering Disinformation, there are several main goals:

  • First, internal PR: With Putin staying silent about strikes on strategic aviation airfields, Russian security forces are trying to show they’re in control.

  • Second, shaping a narrative to justify the war and intimidate the public: Kremlin propaganda is pushing the idea of “Ukrainian agents everywhere” as a reason to keep the war going.

  • Third, tightening control in occupied territories under the pretext of fighting “Ukrainian agents.”

“These campaigns are meant to distract the public from real security failures and further mobilize people through fear,” the Center for Countering Disinformation emphasizes.

  • On June 1, 2025, the Security Service of Ukraine conducted a major Spider’s Web operation to destroy Russian bombers.
  • The head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Vasyl Maliuk, disclosed the details of the historic special Spider’s Web operation, which resulted in the downing of more than 40 Russian military aircraft.
  • Ukraine is achieving remarkable success and demonstrating a groundbreaking level of warfare. Spider's Web operation is having a geopolitical impact.
  • Operation Spider's Web was one of the most secretive missions carried out by Ukraine's Security Service — with only a handful of people inside the agency aware of its details.
  • Before the launch of Operation Spider’s Web, the Russian Air Force possessed approximately 130 strategic bombers.
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