Moscow and New Delhi: A viral video of Russian President Vladimir Putin threatening to deploy Oreshnik hypersonic warheads, which he claims reach temperatures akin to the sun’s surface, has reignited global concerns after Ukraine’s massive drone strike on five Russian air bases. The attack, dubbed Operation Spider’s Web, destroyed over 40 strategic bombers, prompting Putin to warn of a “ruthless” retaliation that could extend beyond Ukraine to Western nations. In response, India is accelerating its adoption of advanced drone and air defense technologies, drawing lessons from Ukraine’s innovative tactics to prepare for future warfare.

Ukraine’s Drone Strike Shakes Russia
On June 1, 2025, Ukraine executed its largest-ever drone attack, targeting Russian air bases in Olenya, Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur. The operation, codenamed Spider’s Web, destroyed 41 Russian aircraft, including Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers and A-50 radar planes, valued at $7 billion, according to Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU). Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called it an “absolutely brilliant” operation, planned for over 18 months, using small, high-speed FPV (First Person View) drones smuggled into Russia inside trucks. Russian media labeled it “Russia’s Pearl Harbor,” with pro-Kremlin blogger Roman Alekhin urging a response as severe as the US retaliation after 1941. The attack exposed vulnerabilities in Russia’s air defenses, with drones launched near airfields evading detection due to their low cost, small size, and optical fiber-enhanced range of 18–20 km.

Putin’s Fiery Threat Resurfaces
A video, reportedly shared by Russia News on June 2, 2025, shows Putin warning of retaliation with Oreshnik hypersonic warheads, including the Avangard Hypersonic Glide Vehicle and Kinzhal missile, capable of speeds five times that of sound and temperatures up to 4,000°C—nearly the sun’s surface temperature of 5,500°C. Putin claims these warheads can reduce targets to ash, stating, “This is not just a military warning; it’s reality. We are now selecting targets.” While the video is said to be old, its resurfacing has amplified fears of escalation, with Putin hinting at strikes beyond Ukraine, potentially targeting NATO and the US for supporting Kyiv. He called Zelenskyy a “Western puppet” and vowed a “ruthless” response, accusing Ukraine of terrorist acts. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that such moves by Western allies supplying Ukraine with long-range weapons are “dangerous” and counter to peace efforts.

Global Tensions and Nuclear Fears
Putin’s threat to use Oreshnik warheads, designed for nuclear or conventional payloads, has raised alarms about a potential World War III. Military experts warn that deploying such hypersonic missiles, which evade existing anti-missile defenses, could escalate the conflict dramatically. Zelenskyy condemned Russia’s ongoing attacks, noting that Russia launched 367 drones and missiles on Ukraine the same weekend, killing 12, including three children. He urged stronger sanctions, criticizing US and Western “silence” for encouraging Putin. UN and European leaders have called for restraint, with analysts suggesting Putin’s rhetoric is both a military threat and psychological warfare to deter Western support for Ukraine. John E. Herbst of the Atlantic Council noted that Ukraine’s strike strengthens its position in ceasefire talks, but Putin’s rejection of a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire indicates his intent to escalate.

India’s Strategic Response
Ukraine’s innovative use of FPV drones has prompted India to bolster its own capabilities. Retired Colonel Devesh Singh, a defense expert, praised the operation’s secrecy and planning, likening it to Israel’s pager attack. He noted that India inducted its first batch of five FPV drones in March 2024, with plans for 100 more, developed with Chandigarh’s Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL). These drones, equipped with anti-tank payloads, are designed for high-speed, low-cost strikes. Singh emphasized that Ukraine’s attack, which used optical fiber to extend drone range, highlights the future of warfare. India is now focusing on indigenous drone systems, counter-drone technology, and air defenses to achieve self-reliance, with Operation Sindoor marking a step toward advanced drone integration.

Lessons for Future Warfare
The Ukrainian operation showcased the power of low-cost, high-impact technology, with FPV drones costing a fraction of the multi-million-dollar aircraft they destroyed. Colonel Singh stated, “This attack is a glimpse of future wars, blending human intelligence, technology, and covert strategy.” India’s military is prioritizing rapid deployment of such systems to counter similar threats, especially in contested border regions. Globally, the strike has raised concerns about the vulnerability of military bases to drone swarms, prompting nations to reassess air defense strategies.

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Oahu, Hawaii, and Murmansk, Russia: On December 7, 1941, Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto orchestrated a devastating surprise attack on the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, aiming to cripple American naval power and secure Japan’s dominance in Asia. Over eight decades later, Ukraine’s audacious drone strikes on Russian air bases, dubbed the “modern Pearl Harbor” by Russian media, mirror this bold strategy, destroying over 30% of Russia’s strategic bomber fleet and potentially altering the course of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Yamamoto’s Calculated Gamble
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, a Harvard-educated strategist and compulsive poker player, devised the Pearl Harbor attack as a high-stakes bet to delay US intervention in Japan’s Pacific conquests. According to historian Seymour Morris Jr., Yamamoto’s time at Harvard from 1919 to 1921 revealed his risk-taking nature. “He became a fanatical poker player, staying up all night, winning hand after hand,” Morris noted, adding that Yamamoto hitchhiked across America to study its culture and terrain. As a naval attaché in Washington, DC, his poker games with US military officers fueled his confidence in outsmarting American counterparts. On December 7, 1941, over 180 Japanese warplanes from six aircraft carriers struck Pearl Harbor in a meticulously planned assault. The first wave, from 7:55 am to 8:45 am, targeted moored US battleships, sinking eight, including the USS Arizona, where a 1,760-pound bomb killed 1,177 sailors. A second wave of 160 warplanes hit remaining vessels and airfields, leaving 2,403 dead, 1,178 wounded, and 188 US aircraft destroyed.

Geopolitical Roots of Conflict
Japan’s 1941 attack stemmed from escalating tensions with the US over its expansionist ambitions in Asia. Engaged in a brutal war with China since 1937, Japan sought resources like oil and rubber to fuel its empire. The US, supporting China, imposed crippling sanctions, including an oil embargo, after Japan occupied Indochina in July 1941. Allied with Axis powers Germany and Italy, Japan faced severed US trade ties, pushing Yamamoto to plan a pre-emptive strike to neutralize the Pacific Fleet. Despite US intelligence suspecting conflict, an Army radar operator mistook incoming Japanese planes for expected US B-17s, leaving Pearl Harbor unprepared. The attack propelled the US into World War II on December 8, 1941, with Germany and Italy declaring war on the US days later, cementing America’s role as a global power.

Ukraine’s “Modern Pearl Harbor”
On June 1, 2025, Ukraine executed Operation Spider’s Web, a covert drone assault targeting Russian air bases in Olenya, Murmansk, and Irkutsk, Siberia, 4,000–6,000 km apart. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed the operation took over 18 months to plan, destroying 41 Russian strategic bombers, including Tu-95s, Tu-22s, and A-50 radar planes, some capable of carrying nuclear weapons. Russian media likened the strike to Pearl Harbor for its surprise and impact, with pro-Kremlin bloggers estimating a loss of over 30% of Russia’s bomber fleet. The attack followed Russian missile strikes on Kyiv, reportedly in retaliation for an attempt on President Vladimir Putin’s plane, escalating the Russia-Ukraine conflict amid stalled ceasefire talks.

Strategic Parallels and Global Impact
Both Pearl Harbor and Ukraine’s drone strikes reflect the power of surprise in warfare. Yamamoto’s attack aimed to force US negotiations but instead unified American resolve, leading to its emergence as a superpower. Similarly, Ukraine’s operation could weaken Russia’s air capabilities, potentially shifting the war’s trajectory. Military analyst Dr. Elena Petrova noted, “Ukraine’s strike demonstrates how advanced drone technology can replicate the shock value of historic assaults like Pearl Harbor, leveling the playing field against a stronger opponent.” The Pearl Harbor attack cost Japan dearly in the long run, as the US mobilized its industrial might. Experts suggest Russia may now face similar pressure to rebuild its air force amid ongoing sanctions and economic strain.

Lessons from History
Yamamoto’s poker-inspired strategy underestimated US resilience, a miscalculation echoed in modern conflicts where initial victories may provoke stronger retaliation. The US Navy recovered swiftly post-Pearl Harbor, winning key battles like Midway in 1942. Ukraine’s drone success, while a tactical triumph, risks escalating Russian aggression, with analysts warning of potential nuclear rhetoric. As historian John Keegan wrote, “Surprise attacks often awaken sleeping giants,” a lesson resonating in both 1941 and 2025.

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