A wave of audacious Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Russian military airbases deep within Russian territory has dramatically increased the risk of further escalation, according to Keith Kellogg, former U.S. envoy for Ukraine under President Trump.

Speaking to Fox News on June 3rd, Kellogg stated, “I’m telling you, the risk levels are going way up. I mean, what happened this weekend.” This refers to the June 1st attacks, which saw Ukrainian drones striking airfields hundreds of miles from the frontlines— some targets were located as far as 2,670 miles away.

The attacks, reported to have targeted airfields in Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions, sparked a strong response from the Russian Ministry of Defence. While the ministry claimed most attacks were repelled and that no casualties were reported, they acknowledged that several aircraft were damaged by fire.

The scale and range of these drone strikes mark a significant development in the ongoing conflict, raising serious questions about the future trajectory of the war and the potential for further retaliatory actions from Russia. The incident highlights the evolving tactics being employed by both sides and underscores the growing intensity of the conflict.