The United States expressed concern regarding Ukraine’s “Spiderweb” operation and warns of increasing risks in the war with Russia
Kit Kellogg, the U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine, questioned the boldness and simultaneously warned about potential consequences of the "Spiderweb" operation conducted by Ukrainian forces. In a recent interview on Fox News, he noted that this special operation, which enabled Ukrainians to strike targets deep within Russian territory, significantly raises the level of conflict risks and the possibility of escalation. According to Kellogg, this attack demonstrates that Ukraine is capable of deploying more daring and targeted strikes, including against Russian strategic facilities, which was previously considered unattainable. However, he emphasized that the primary significance of such actions is not in destroying Russian military equipment or specific targets, but in the psychological impact they have: demonstrating the ability of Ukrainian forces to act far beyond their territory and forcing Russians to rethink their defense strategy. Most importantly, Kellogg pointed out that such operations increase the overall tension and elevate the likelihood of conflict escalation. "When you target the nuclear triad, systems responsible for a country's ability to defend itself in the most severe situations — that means the risk level increases significantly. You cannot be certain about the appropriate responses and actions from the other side. This is a very bold step, carrying serious potential consequences. Naturally, it is entirely understandable that the other side may react unpredictably, and because of this risk of potential escalation, we must be extremely cautious," he said. At the same time, Kellogg stressed that Ukraine continues to demonstrate its readiness to fight and does not intend to surrender in the conflict. According to him, Ukrainians clearly signal that they have no intention of giving up and are willing to escalate the stakes in this war. "Ukraine is telling the world that it is capable of continuing to fight at a level that once seemed unattainable. They can increase the risks, and in my opinion, an especially dangerous aspect is that Ukrainian actions may compel the other side to take even more radical steps. Therefore, it is important to understand that this is a high-stakes game, and each step can have far-reaching consequences," he emphasized. It is worth recalling that recent Ukrainian strikes on targets deep within Russian territory, including military facilities and logistical routes, have already elicited broad international responses. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, in particular, compared these UAV attacks by Ukraine to the operation that eliminated Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, calling them "a counter-terrorism operation," indicating a shift in Ukraine's tactics and approach in the war. On his side, President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted that the "Spiderweb" operation demonstrated the ability of Ukrainian special services to act efficiently and tactically. According to him, this operation not only showcased the high professionalism of Ukrainian military and intelligence agencies but also conveyed to the world that Ukraine possesses deserved strength and a will to defend its independence and sovereignty by any mean, including very risky ones. It is evident that amid increasing conflict and the application of more advanced and strategic tactics, world leaders and analysts are closely monitoring the situation, as any escalation could influence the course of the war and the peace process in the region. The perspective of the United States and its representatives, in particular, underscores the need for cautious actions and avoiding steps that could lead to uncontrolled escalation and deepen the conflict. Thus, the "Spiderweb" operation, in its own way, questions not only Ukraine's military tactics but also the balance of power in the war with Russia, casting doubt on the possibility of maintaining stability in the region. At the same time, it raises new questions about the risks associated with the further development of the conflict and international security.