Explosive Escalation: Ukraine’s ‘Spiderweb’ Drone Operation Damages 41 Russian Warplanes in Deep-Strike Blow

A Game-Changing Strike Shakes Russian Air Power

In one of the most daring and destructive operations since the war began in 2022, Ukraine launched a coordinated drone strike deep inside Russian territory, damaging at least 41 military aircraft.

The operation, codenamed Spiderweb, unfolded on June 1, 2025, targeting four Russian airbases simultaneously. It delivered a significant blow to Russia’s long-range bombing capabilities and underscored Ukraine’s evolving drone warfare strategy.

Inside Operation Spiderweb: A Year and a Half in the Making

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) confirmed that the mission involved nearly 18 months of planning. FPV drones were smuggled across the border and hidden in mobile wooden cabins mounted on trucks inside Russia.

At the scheduled time, the trucks opened their roofs remotely, launching dozens of drones directly toward key military airfields. The targeted locations included:

• Belaya Airbase (Irkutsk Oblast)
• Olenya Airbase (Murmansk Oblast)
• Dyagilevo Airbase (Ryazan Oblast)
• Ivanovo Airbase (Ivanovo Oblast)

Open-source footage showed multiple aircraft engulfed in flames and thick smoke rising from the bases.

Aircraft Targeted: A Strategic Loss

Sources reported significant damage to several high-value Russian military aircraft, including:

• Tu-95MS strategic bombers
• Tu-22M3 supersonic bombers
• A-50 early-warning and control aircraft

The A-50, used for radar surveillance and air coordination, is estimated to cost over $350 million. Tu-95s, capable of launching cruise missiles, are regularly used in strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure. Ukraine estimates the total damage could exceed $2 billion.

Confirmations from Russian Regions

Russian regional governors acknowledged the attacks. Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev reported that drones were launched from disguised trucks. Murmansk Governor Andrey Chibis confirmed that enemy drones had targeted military facilities, while Ryazan Governor Pavel Malkov described the strike as occurring on Children’s Day but claimed there were no casualties.

Ukrainian Leadership and Safe Return of Operatives

According to intelligence sources, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and SBU Chief Vasyl Malyuk personally oversaw the operation.

All Ukrainian personnel involved in the cross-border strike reportedly returned safely. Ukrainian sources dismissed Russian claims of detentions, calling them staged performances for internal audiences.

Timing Before Istanbul Peace Talks

The strike took place just one day before scheduled peace talks in Istanbul between Ukrainian and Russian delegations. The discussions are backed by Türkiye and supported by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has called for a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire.

President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine’s priorities include a full ceasefire and the return of abducted Ukrainian civilians and children. The negotiations are scheduled for June 2 at Ciragan Palace.

Strategic Implications

The aircraft targeted in this operation play a central role in Russia’s air power projection:

• The A-50 helps guide fighter aircraft and monitor battlefield movement.
• The Tu-95 can carry up to 16 cruise missiles and has been used in repeated strikes on Ukraine.
• The Tu-22M3 can deliver supersonic missile payloads at speeds up to 4,000 km/h.

Ukraine’s use of low-cost drones—estimated at a few hundred dollars each—against multimillion-dollar aircraft demonstrates a shift toward asymmetric, cost-effective military strategy.

The SBU stated the mission was aimed at neutralizing aircraft responsible for bombing Ukrainian cities nightly.

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