Ukraine has shared a video showing a secret drone attack that destroyed or badly damaged 41 Russian warplanes at four air bases. This is one of the boldest attacks since the war started. The operation, called Spider’s Web, took more than 18 months to plan. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised it as “a brilliant operation for the history books.”
The attack was done by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU). They launched groups of small drones from inside Russia using hidden compartments in trucks parked near the airbases. These drones targeted important Russian bombers, including Tu-95s and Tu-22M3s, which Russia uses to launch missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. One drone also hit a special Russian radar plane called the A-50.
Read more: Ukraine’s Operation Spider’s Web: How Small Drones Struck Deep Inside Russia?
Zelenskyy said the attack damaged 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile planes.
Drone Attack Reaches Siberia
The video shows drones flying close to and above Russian planes, some of which were on fire. The strikes hit the Belaya air base in Siberia, which is 4,000 kilometers from Ukraine, as well as airfields in Murmansk, Ivanovo, and Ryazan. The trucks carrying the drones stayed hidden near the bases for days or weeks before the attack started.
Experts say the drones were controlled using fiber-optic cables instead of radio signals. This helped the drones avoid Russian jamming systems.
Russia’s defense ministry confirmed the attack and said some planes were damaged, but fires were controlled quickly. However, pro-Russian military bloggers called it a “black day for aviation” and said it showed a big intelligence failure.
Ukraine estimates the damage caused by the attack at about $7 billion. This operation comes at an important time in the 3.5-year conflict, with peace talks not making progress and Russia increasing its missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities. Just a day before this attack, Russia sent a record 472 drones to try to wear down Ukraine’s air defenses.
Also Read: Zelenskyy Hails ‘Brilliant’ Drone Strike as Ukraine Damages 40 Russian Jets
This strike follows other daring Ukrainian actions, like sinking the Russian warship Moskva in 2022 and attacking the Kerch Bridge. SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk said, “The enemy thought it could bomb Ukraine without consequences. But we will fight back on sea, in the air, and on land. And if needed, even underground.”
The United States said it was not told about the attack beforehand. After the strike, US President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone. Trump said the talk was “positive but not one that will lead to immediate peace.” Putin reportedly said Russia would respond to the attack.
