Exclusive: Putin’s prized spy planes 'crippled' by historic special operation

Day 1,197.

Today, after another series of deadly strikes on civilians in Sumy, Russia continue to push ahead in the north of the region. Meanwhile, we continue to assess the damages from Operation Spider’s Web and the Kerch Bridge explosion. We also dive into the UK’s Strategic Defence Review and what it means for Ukraine, while the UK promises 100,000 drones to Ukraine by Spring 2026.

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @RolandOliphant on X.

Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.

Hamish De Bretton-Gordon (Former British Army Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on X

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

With thanks to Michael Weiss, Editor at The Insider.

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Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

Content Referenced:

Ukraine strikes Putin’s prized spy planes, The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/03/ukraine-strikes-putin-prized-spy-plane/

Trump official who shut down counter-Russia agency has links to Kremlin, The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/06/03/trump-official-shut-russia-propaganda-unit-kremlin-ties/

We led the Strategic Defence Review. This is how Starmer can keep Britain safe, The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/06/01/strategic-defence-review-lord-robertson-fiona-hill-barrons/

Ukraine Defaults on Sovereign Debt Payment, Wall Street Journal

https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-defaults-on-sovereign-debt-payment-03267386

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