Ukrainian forces have delivered a stunning blow to Russia’s military capabilities, destroying dozens of warplanes parked at air bases thousands of miles from the front lines in one of Kyiv’s most audacious and sophisticated counter-assaults since the beginning of the war.
The operation, dubbed “Spiderweb,” saw drones hit targets across a vast swathe of Russia, from Belaya, closer to Japan than Ukraine, to the Olenya base near Murmansk in the Arctic Circle.
A source within Ukraine’s security services revealed that more than 40 Russian aircraft were “burning en masse” at four air bases following the coordinated attacks.
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The SBU, Ukraine’s domestic intelligence agency, estimated the damages at an staggering $7 billion and stated that the strikes hit 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers at its main air bases.
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The drone attacks occurred on the eve of anticipated peace talks in Istanbul between Russia and Ukraine, talks already strained by uncertainty and pressure from US President Donald Trump. An administration official told CNN that the Trump administration was not given advance notice of the operation.
The strikes appear to be a powerful message from Ukraine, demonstrating its continued ability to apply pressure on Russia more than three years after the unprovoked invasion. Kyiv has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of not genuinely seeking an end to the war, especially as Moscow escalates its attacks and offensive operations, including launching its largest drone assault on Ukraine since the war began over the weekend.
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The “Spiderweb” operation, more than a year and a half in the making, involved an intricate plot: drones were reportedly smuggled into Russian territory and hidden in wooden mobile houses atop trucks. The roofs were then remotely opened, deploying the drones to launch their devastating strikes.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lauded the operation in a post on X, stating, “The planning, organization, and all the details were perfectly prepared. It can be confidently said that this was an absolutely unique operation.” Zelensky further revealed that 117 drones were used in the attacks, which are being hailed as a significant military and propaganda victory for Ukraine, catching Russia off guard.
In a move that underscores the boldness of the operation, Zelensky also claimed on X that “The ‘office’ of our operation on Russian territory was located directly next to FSB headquarters in one of their regions.”
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Among the more than 40 aircraft confirmed to have been hit, according to the security source, were critical assets including TU-95 and Tu-22M3 strategic bombers, as well as one of Russia’s few remaining A-50 surveillance planes.
The SBU, in a defiant statement, declared, “We are doing everything to drive the enemy from our native land! We will strike them at sea, in the air, and on land. And if needed — we’ll reach them even from underground.” The success of “Spiderweb” undoubtedly signals a new and formidable dimension to Ukraine’s defense strategy.
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