Freeciv

Surprisingly, attacks from Bombers ('Bombardment') works.
But Spys do not.

This seems like Qt-client. Then this might be related to #1629 (I'm assuming it's not an exact duplicate, as #1629 is about "Collect Ransom" not working, not that it would not be available)

I'm pretty sure this is the same as #1629. From the screenshot it looks like Qt client.

John - try the patch from #1629 and see if that fixes it.

The patch for #1629 added a [Collect Ransom] button, which, at least as a work-around, "fixed" my issue.
Though ruthless thinking, is there supposed to be an option to attack rather than ransom?

I will play with adding an [Attack] button.

I will defer to you'all whether to close this bug as a low priority.

(?? how do the non Qt platforms work ??)

John Robertson wrote in #note-5:

Though ruthless thinking, is there supposed to be an option to attack rather than ransom?

No. Availability of "Collect Ransom" makes "Attack" unavailable, as it's always the better option (and it's backward compatible; before separation of actions things worked that way internally, attacking Barbarian Leader gave you the ransom)

Sounds good. I will close this as a duplicate of #1629 .

(no rights to close) I'll advocate this be closed as a duplicate of #1629 .