Ruling by the Moscow City Court
The Moscow City Court has decided to release four Russian nationals accused of involvement in deploying drones from trucks during the Security Service of Ukraine's (SBU) operation named 'Web'. This verdict followed the refusal of the Russian Prosecutor General's Office to approve charges, citing a lack of convincing evidence. The accused—56-year-old Mikhail Ryumin, 62-year-old Andrey Merkurev, 56-year-old Alexander Zaitsev, and 47-year-old Sergey Kanurin—have denied all allegations, asserting their patriotism toward Russia and claiming they voluntarily approached law enforcement authorities.
Accusations and Operation Outcomes
The Russian investigation charged these men with transporting explosives as part of an organized group and carrying out a terrorist act that caused significant damage. The Russian Investigative Committee alleged their membership in a criminal network recruited by the SBU to conduct attacks within Russian territory. Notably, the suspects also attempted to intercept drones launched from their own trucks.
The SBU's 'Web' operation took place on June 1, 2025, targeting four Russian military airbases:
- 'Bila' in Irkutsk Oblast,
- 'Olenya' in Murmansk Oblast,
- 'Dyagilevo' in Ryazan Oblast,
- 'Ivanovo' in Ivanovo Oblast.
Following the strikes, satellite images released on June 2 confirmed damage to the 'Bila' airbase. Additional satellite evidence on June 3 verified an attack on the 'Ivanovo' airfield, where at least one A-50 aircraft was destroyed.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine updated the losses of Russian combat aviation, reflecting the impact of the 'Web' operation. It is reported that at least 41 aircraft, including Tu-95s, Tu-22M3s, and A-50s, were damaged. The SBU stated that the FPV drone assault disabled approximately one-third of Russia’s strategic aircraft. While the Russian Ministry of Defense estimated the damage at 2 billion rubles, the SBU suggests losses could reach up to 7 billion US dollars.
This court decision to release the suspects casts doubt on the future of the case, given the Prosecutor General’s Office’s cited insufficiency of evidence.
The Prosecutor General's refusal to endorse charges against these four Russians highlights the challenges faced by Russian investigators in cases linked to SBU operations. This development may affect the credibility of Russian law enforcement agencies and their ability to effectively counter perceived internal threats. Meanwhile, the heightened focus on the 'Web' operation underscores the intensifying military conflict between Ukraine and Russia, underlining the need for ongoing scrutiny and analysis of the situation in the region.
The recent developments surrounding the release of the four Russians highlight the ongoing tensions and complexities of military operations in the region. In a related context, Ukrainian forces have intensified their efforts against Russian facilities, targeting key drone production sites and military installations in various regions. This escalation is part of a broader strategy to undermine Russian capabilities and can provide further insights into the current state of the conflict. For more details on these military actions, see how Ukrainian forces are striking at drone facilities and military targets.