Operation Spider-Web: Is that a serious threat for Vladimir Putin? | To The Point

The International Talk Show | To the point
Ukrainian’s audacious drone attacks on Russian air bases this week have sent out a critical message to the Russian President. Russia’s war in Ukraine is escalating even further, with little hope for a diplomatic breakthrough.

Russian forces have been bombarding Ukrainian cities for weeks and appear to be preparing a major offensive in the Sumy region... Attacks are also intensifying along other parts of the front line... In response, Ukraine has launched a series of coordinated drone strikes this week targeting military airfields deep inside the Russian territory... Kyiv has also claimed responsibility for an attack on the strategically vital Crimean Bridge... So, on To The Point, our big question today is: Operation Spider-Web: Is that a serious threat for Vladimir Putin?

Our guests:

Alexandr Burilkov – He is the Assistant Director for Research at the GLOBSEC GeoTech Center. And an expert on military and security issues in Russia, China, and the post-Soviet space.

Roman Goncharenko – Reporter from DW’s Russian desk; and

Aylin Matlé – Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Security and Defense at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP).

00:00 Opener
02:00 The Russian regime is not under threat because of Ukraine’s drone attacks
04:40 Russia exhibited weaknesses at airbases
06:30 Interlude: situation on the battlefield
07:40 How is Russia responding to Ukraine?
09:40 There is limited scope for diplomacy
10:40 Ukraine possesses the capability to strike deep within Russian territory
11:35 Russia is preparing for a prolonged conflict
15:00 Urkaine’s strikes are no serious damage to Russia's position
16:20 Interlude: Lindsey Graham on sanctions
18:20 How effective are the sanctions on Russia?
19:45 Interlude: How beneficial is the weapons cooperation between Germany and Ukraine?
22:00 How has Ukraine managed to produce weapons at such a scale?
24:10 Chancellor Merz: Whatever it takes to support Ukraine