Putin unlikely to shift stance after Ukraine's Spider's Web operation — diplomat

Volodymyr Ohryzko, diplomat and head of the Center for Russian Studies, said this on Espreso TV.

"We can talk about two factors here: the instinct for self-preservation, which in a normal situation suggests that the line should be adjusted because the current one could threaten the regime's very existence. Well, that's when we're talking about adequate people, an adequate country, and so on. But we've said many times that this is a specific territory (Russia - ed.) on the planet that doesn't really lend itself to what's called normal logic. For Muscovy, these are two lines that never intersect; they are parallel lines. Therefore, to think that these very painful blows of ours will lead to some understanding of the situation differently - I don't have that feeling at all.

Everything there is done head-on. Well, look at this special operation (Operation "Web" - ed.), which will truly go down in history. How smart do you have to be to plan it, to organize it, and for it to have such an effect? And here, in fact, is the difference in our thinking and the thinking of these people, who only know how to go in like a tank, while sacrificing millions of people and getting minimal results. It's like intelligence versus such a stupid, dumb force, which, if you put a wall in front of it, runs into that wall and, in fact, can't go any further. These are the approaches," he said. Volodymyr Ohryzko emphasized that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will want to take revenge, so he urged Ukrainians not to ignore air raid sirens.

The diplomat noted that Russians are capable of anything; they have demonstrated this repeatedly by striking Ukraine.

"Therefore, it seems to me that we shouldn't expect Putin to change his position after these strikes. On the contrary, he is now harboring malice. This is the kind of person who will seek revenge under any circumstances. He is now, I think, preparing - and I appeal to our esteemed viewers to be as careful as possible. Because despite the fact that a large number of strategic aircraft have been destroyed, Russia still has the ability to inflict very painful and stinging blows on us. Therefore, no complacency, as they say beyond the border. The war continues, the war is very fierce and dangerous.

Therefore, to everyone who is listening and hearing us today, my appeal is very simple: take care of yourselves, pay attention to air raid sirens. Find safe places. You can expect anything from this wild horde. And this horde member, who sits in the Kremlin today, will do everything to take revenge. And he can only take revenge in one way: by destroying civilians, destroying cities, doing what is called "war crimes" in the language of international law. He will be held accountable for this. But the question is that the price of this accountability will be very, very high, and we, unfortunately, have already paid a lot and may pay more," added Volodymyr Ohryzko.

• 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.