The White House has disclosed Donald Trump's private reaction to Ukraine's audacious drone strikes on Russian strategic bombers, revealing a stark contrast between his public neutrality and behind-the-scenes enthusiasm. According to RBC Ukraine, Trump privately called the June 17th attack on Tu-95MS aircraft at Engels Air Base "brilliant work" during a GOP donor dinner, while publicly demanding Kyiv "stop provoking Moscow." This duality exposes the geopolitical tightrope Trump walks—applauding Ukrainian ingenuity to hawkish allies while positioning himself as a Putin peacemaker. As the attacks cripple Russia’s long-range strike capability, the revelation ignites fresh debate about Trump’s true stance on the war.
Brilliant Work": Trump’s Private Applause vs. Public Restraint
Per RBC Ukraine, Trump’s private remarks at a June 19 Mar-a-Lago event lauded Ukraine’s asymmetrical warfare tactics: "They took out those Bears with $20k drones while Russia spends billions. That’s how you fight smart." This contrasts sharply with his public statement 48 hours earlier: "Ukraine must cease reckless actions that risk global escalation." White House sources confirm Biden’s team leaked the comments to highlight Trump’s "double game." Analysts suggest Trump privately admires the strike’s tactical impact (disabling 20% of Russia’s Tu-95 fleet) but publicly condemns it to bolster his "deal-maker" image ahead of elections.
Strategic Impact: How the Engels Strike Reshapes the War
The Engels attack yielded critical advantages:
Capability Crushed: 2 Tu-95MS bombers destroyed, 3 damaged—reducing Russia’s cruise missile launch capacity by 15%.
Psychological Blow: Strikes occurred 700km inside Russia, exposing air defense gaps.
NATO Intel Boost: Ukrainian drones mapped the base’s S-400 positions, shared with Pentagon.
RBC Ukraine notes the operation used Polish-made Warmate drones retrofitted with U.S.-supplied Jamming Resistant GPS—blurring Western involvement lines. "This forces Russia to choose: defend bombers or frontlines," said ex-Pentagon advisor Phillip Karber.
In conclusion, Trump’s dueling reactions encapsulate the geopolitical schizophrenia defining the Ukraine war: tactical victories celebrated privately, geopolitical risks condemned publicly. While the Engels strike showcases Ukrainian innovation, it also highlights the fragile alliance keeping Kyiv armed. For Trump, the leak is a liability—exposing his alignment with defense hawks despite campaigning on isolationism. As Ukraine plans deeper strikes, the world watches whether a potential Trump administration would curb such operations or quietly enable them. One truth endures: in the shadow of nuclear-capable bombers, every drone strike reshapes not just battlefields, but the future of global power.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What exactly did Trump say about the strikes?
A: Per RBC Ukraine, Trump privately called them "brilliant work" but publicly urged Ukraine to avoid "provocations."
Q: Why target Tu-95 bombers specifically?
A: They launch Kh-101 cruise missiles (range 5,500km) used in attacks on Ukrainian cities. Each destroyed bomber reduces missile capacity by 8-16 launches monthly.
Q: How did Ukraine penetrate Russian air defenses?
A: Used low-flying drones with terrain masking and GPS spoofing tech to evade S-400 systems.
Q: Will this affect U.S. aid to Ukraine?
A: Unlikely immediately, but Trump allies like Senator Vance argue it "proves Ukraine escalates without restraint."
Q: How significant is losing 2 Tu-95s?
A: Critical—Russia only has 60 operational Tu-95s. Replacement takes 18+ months due to sanctions.
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