Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved the final version of a strategy that will shape the development of the Russian Federation’s Navy until 2050.

In an interview with the newspaper Argumenty i Fakty, Nikolay Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of Russia and Chairman of the Russian Maritime Board, stated, “The decision to prepare the strategy was made at a meeting in the Kremlin last July. On the president’s instructions, the Ministry of Defense prepared a draft, which was later developed by the Russian Maritime Board, taking into account the proposals of federal agencies and organizations. The final version of the strategy was submitted to the president for review and was approved on May 30.”

Patrushev noted that this development once again highlights that building a powerful and modern navy is among the priority tasks for the Russian state.

‘A first in modern history’

Highlighting the significance of the strategy, Patrushev remarked, “Without going into details, let me say that this is the first time such a strategic planning document has been adopted in modern history. Russia’s position as one of the world’s greatest naval powers is gradually being restored. It is impossible to carry out such work without a long-term vision of the development scenarios in the World Ocean, the evolution of challenges and threats, and, of course, without defining the goals and tasks facing the Russian Navy.”

‘Special military operation’ experience considered

Patrushev explained that the strategy analyzes the development of the global military-political situation, the likelihood and nature of potential armed conflicts, and the capabilities of leading naval powers. He also noted that the current state and capabilities of the Navy were assessed, including the experience gained from the “special military operation.”

Patrushev concluded, “The fundamental requirements for the future combat structure of the Navy, its main tasks in peacetime and wartime, and the mechanisms for shaping the future outlook of the Naval Forces have been formulated. In short, a significant long-term document has been adopted that answers the question of what Russia’s naval power should be to effectively defend our country’s interests in the World Ocean.”

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has reportedly conducted a large-scale attack with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), allegedly launched from trucks, on four strategic bomber bases within Russian territory.

According to a report by the BBC, citing sources within the SBU, “Operation Spider’s Web” targeted the Olenya airbase in Murmansk Oblast, Dyagilevo in Ryazan, Belaya in Irkutsk, and the Ivanovo airbase in Ivanovo.

Ukrainian sources claimed that more than 40 Russian aircraft, including nuclear-capable bombers, were hit in the attacks, causing damage exceeding $2 billion.

Targeted bases and regional confirmations

Murmansk Governor Andrey Chibis confirmed a UAV attack on the region, stating that air defense systems were operational and law enforcement and emergency services were on duty.

Olenegorsk residents reported hearing explosions and seeing fires, and it was learned that entry and exit to the city were prohibited.

The Baza Telegram channel, known for its proximity to law enforcement agencies, wrote that the UAVs attacking the airport took off from a truck parked near Olenegorsk on the morning of June 1. The channel claimed that the truck driver might have been unaware of the cargo and had been detained. The Olenya airbase houses Tu-22M3 bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

Additionally, Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev reported that UAVs attacked a military unit in the village of Sredniy in the Usolskiy district. Kobzev also stated that “something was dropped on an old building” in Novomaltinsk and said that Siberia had been subjected to a UAV attack for the first time.

As in Murmansk, it was alleged here too that the UAVs were launched from a truck. FSB, Rosgvardiya, and Ministry of Emergency Situations teams were dispatched to the scene.

The Belaya military airbase, home to the 200th Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Brest Red Banner Regiment, which has Tu-22M3 strategic bombers in its inventory, is located in the Usolskiy district. Local residents also indicated that this base was the target.

Ryazan Governor Pavel Malkov also confirmed the attack on the region. Malkov announced that a part of a downed UAV damaged the roof of a house but no one was injured.

According to Ostorozhno Novosti, the target of the attack was the Dyagilevo airfield, which houses Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 bombers.

It was stated that A-50 long-range radar detection and control aircraft, used by Russian troops to detect Ukrainian air defense systems, might have been hit at the Ivanovo airfield. Officials did not make a statement regarding this attack.

Ukrainian intelligence claimed responsibility for the attack

According to RBC-Ukraine, more than 40 aircraft, including A-50, Tu-95, and Tu-22M3, were hit as a result of the operation personally led by SBU Head Vasyl Malyuk.

The total cost of the attacks was reported to exceed $2 billion. In a video showing explosion footage from Ukrainian sources, a voice, assessed to be Malyuk’s, is heard saying, “Belaya airfield, how beautiful the enemy’s strategic aviation looks now.”

Reactions from Russian Telegram channels

The Fighterbomber Telegram channel wrote that the UAVs were used at very short range, making it “impossible to save the aircraft from attack, like countering with Pantsir, S-300 and similar systems.”

The author stated, “Today will later be remembered as a black day for Russian long-range aviation. And the day is not over yet.”

The Rybar Telegram channel recalled that Tu-95 and Tu-22 aircraft have not been in production for a long time, so the losses cannot be replaced.

The channel’s author assessed, “This is, without exaggeration, a very serious blow to the strategic component, resulting from both serious miscalculations in the work of intelligence agencies and a negligent attitude towards aircraft left in the open without protection even after all the attacks.”

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced it has banned Russian sports teams, specifically the national ice hockey team, from participating in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games to be held in Italy.

This decision is a continuation of existing sanctions implemented following Russia’s military intervention against Ukraine.

The IOC’s need for clarification on this matter arose following reports from Russia that discussions had taken place between the Russian Hockey Federation and representatives of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) regarding the national team’s possible participation in the Games.

IOC’s recommendation remains in effect

According to Reuters, an IOC statement said, “The recommendation made by the IOC Executive Board in March 2023 regarding the participation of athletes with Russian passports remains in effect. This decision is based on the fact that a group of individual neutral athletes cannot, by definition, be considered a team. We have taken note that the IIHF has confirmed its commitment to comply with this recommendation.”

ROC’s membership suspended due to violations

The IOC suspended the membership of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) in October 2023, citing violations of the Olympic Charter.

The primary reason for this decision was Russia’s recognition of regional Olympic councils in the Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

The committee stated at the time, “Such actions violate the territorial integrity of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, which is recognized by the IOC.”

Neutral participation was possible at Paris 2024

Despite strict restrictions, some athletes from Russia and Belarus obtained the right to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

However, their participation was only possible after a thorough review and strictly under a neutral status, without flags, anthems, or national symbols.

According to Reuters, four Russian figure skaters in the men’s and women’s singles disciplines received permission from the International Skating Union to participate in qualifying competitions for the 2026 Games; however, this permission will also only be valid under neutral athlete status.

Differing statements from Russia

In mid-April, Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyaryov, who also serves as President of the ROC, suggested that the ROC’s IOC membership could be reinstated within two to three months.

Degtyaryov stated, “In my assessment, the committee will be recognized in the next two to three months. After the ROC’s membership is restored, we will start applying to host international competitions this summer. There is a high probability of this happening.”

In contrast, on May 25, the press service of the Russian Hockey Federation announced that the ROC had not received official notification from the IOC that the national ice hockey team would not be allowed to participate in the 2026 Olympics.

However, the Latvia-based media outlet Sportacentrs, citing sources, claimed that the Russian team’s participation in the Games is unlikely.