Ukraine drone attack: 'Brace for Putin's retaliation,' say Russian supporters on internet 

While Russia recovers from the attack, observers on social media speculate that Russian President Vladimir Putin's retaliation will be 'swift and terrible'.

Following Ukraine's biggest drone attack against Russia on Sunday, social media is divided between praise for the ingenuity with which the attack was planned and carried out, and speculation about the severity of Russia's response.

Ukraine said they used 117 drones to destroy around 40 of Russian bombers. Russia confirmed the strike but it stated that several of its military aircraft "caught fire". Its Ministry of Defence, on Telegram, said that Ukraine carried out what it said was a "terrorist attack" in the regions of Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan and Amur.

While Russia recovers from the attack, observers on social media speculate that the country's retaliation will be "swift and terrible".

Today has been a day of infamy in #Russia Just like #PearlHarbour the #Russian response will be swift and terrible. And can only end now, one way. In the unconditional surrender of the #Ukrainian regime and their running dogs. I fully expect that to be conveyed in Istanbul
George Galloway (@georgegalloway) June 1, 2025

The curtain has fallen on restraint.After repeated #Ukrainian attacks, President #Putin is reportedly running out of patience signaling a potential shift from defense to decisive retaliation. The world braces for what comes next.#Ukraine #Russia #Putin pic.twitter.com/9BnE61XGvw Rizwan Shah (@rizwan_media) June 1, 2025

Some analysts also believe the drone attack would bring Russia a step closer to launching a nuclear war.

The surprise attack on Russia's nuclear bombers is an immense escalation that takes NATO and Russia a big step closer to nuclear war. If Trump has any sense, he will call Putin now. https://t.co/Zzx1pW7Z4T
Glenn Diesen (@Glenn_Diesen) June 1, 2025

Volodymyr Zelenskyy shares details of ‘brilliant operation’

In a series of posts and a video, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote about how Kyiv took “over a year and a half” to prepare for the strikes. One of the “interesting” facts he shared was that the “office” of the Ukrainian mission was on Russian soil. “The territory was located directly next to FSB headquarters in one of their regions,” the Ukrainian president wrote in his post.

As per the official statement by the Ukrainian President, 117 drones were used in the Sunday attack. Talking about the success rate, Zelenskyy said that “34 percent of the strategic cruise missile carriers stationed at air bases were hit.” He also said that this was not an isolated incident. “We will continue this work,” the Ukrainian President warned Russia.