A clandestine operation hailed as one for the “history books” by the Ukrainian President culminated in the destruction or damage of nearly a third of Moscow’s strategic bomber fleet. This surprising offensive occurred Sunday and involved the use of low-cost drones that Ukraine managed to smuggle into Russian territory.
The initiative, code-named “Spiderweb” by Ukraine’s Security Service, took over 18 months to meticulously plan and carried a significant degree of risk. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally oversaw its execution. This bold move unfolded during a challenging phase of the three-year-old conflict, with stalled peace talks and unrelenting Russian drone and missile assaults.
The operation reflects Ukraine’s wartime strategy of leveraging innovation and surprise tactics. Despite being outmatched in numbers and firepower and reliant on Western alliances, Ukraine has consistently sought cost-effective ways to inflict damage on Russia.
Reports indicate that Ukraine targeted four Russian military airfields, deploying 117 drones. Zelenskyy reported that the attacks severely damaged or destroyed 34% of Russia’s fleet of air missile carriers. The operation was orchestrated from an office purportedly neighboring the Russian FSB’s facility. Drones were covertly transported in wooden containers via truck to positions near the airfields before they were launched to attack Russia’s strategic bombers. Ukrainian sources claim over 40 warplanes were damaged or destroyed, with costs estimated at $7 billion.
A notable target was the Belaya airbase in Irkutsk, located over 4,000 kilometers from Ukraine. Russian Defense Ministry statements confirmed the strikes but also noted aircraft damage and fires at air bases in the Irkutsk and Murmansk regions, with strikes repelled in the Amur, Ivanovo, and Ryazan areas. An independent verification of both sides’ claims remains unavailable.
The attack inflicted significant damage on strategic aircraft, including the A-50, Tu-95, and Tu-22M models. Previously, Russia used Tu-95 and Tu-22M bombers for launching missiles on Ukraine, whereas A-50 aircraft assist in targeting and defense identification. The loss of these aircraft could hinder Russia’s missile attacks on Ukraine.
This development provides Ukraine with a morale boost just as peace talks have stalled. It also challenges the Russian perception of an uncomplicated victory. The timing was notable, as it occurred one day before peace negotiations in Istanbul while coinciding with a mass drone assault by Russia on Ukraine.
“The enemy anticipated carrying out bombings with impunity, but Ukraine will retaliate,” remarked Vasyl Maliuk, head of Ukraine’s Security Service. “We’ll confront Russian aggression across sea, air, and land, and if necessary, we’ll act from underground too,” he added.
The strategy of surprise has been a consistent element in Ukraine’s recent operations. An April 2022 attack saw the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet sunk by Ukrainian missiles, marking a turning point in the war. In October 2022, Ukraine significantly damaged the strategically vital Kerch Bridge connecting Russia to Crimea, an impact repeated in July 2023.
A year later, in August 2024, Ukrainian forces made history by penetrating Russia’s Kursk region, marking the first such incursion of Russian territory since World War II. Though Russia announced the full reclamation of the region in April 2025, Ukraine maintains an ongoing presence.