Ukraine reportedly launched its largest long-range drone attack since the full-scale invasion began, targeting Russian military airbases thousands of miles inside Russia on Sunday. The audacious operation struck strategic bomber aircraft often used to launch missiles against Ukrainian cities.
Carried out by Ukraine’s SBU security service and codenamed “Spider’s Web,” the attack involved a reported 117 drones hitting at least four Russian military airfields. Ukrainian officials claimed the operation targeted over 40 Russian warplanes, including significant portions of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers.
Complex Logistics Behind the Deep Strikes
The planning and execution of this extensive attack were described as “extremely complex,” reportedly taking over 18 months to organize. Ukrainian sources revealed a novel method for deploying the drones deep within Russia:
Smuggling: FPV drones were first smuggled into Russian territory.
Concealment: The drones were hidden inside makeshift wooden mobile cabins with remotely operated roofs.
Transport: These cabins were placed on cargo vehicles (trucks) and driven into position near the target airbases.
Launch: At the opportune moment, the roofs were opened remotely, allowing the drones to launch from close proximity to the airfields.
Reports from Russian media and even confirmation from the governor of Irkutsk region supported the use of trucks as launch platforms near the bases. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky added an intriguing detail, claiming the operation’s “office” on Russian territory was situated “right next to the FSB of Russia in one of their regions,” and that all personnel involved were safely withdrawn before the strikes.
Targets and Reported Impact
SBU sources identified the targeted airbases as Belaya in Irkutsk oblast (Siberia), Olenya in Murmansk oblast (extreme north-west), Dyagilevo in central Ryazan oblast, and Ivanovo in central Ivanovo oblast. These bases house critical components of Russia’s strategic aviation.
Among the aircraft reportedly hit were:
Tu-95 strategic nuclear-capable bombers
Tu-22M3 strategic bombers
A-50 early warning warplanes
Ukrainian officials estimated the damage to Russia’s strategic aviation could be worth around $7 billion. Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s centre for counteracting disinformation, claimed at least 13 Russian aircraft were destroyed or damaged. However, these claims have not been independently verified on a large scale.
Satellite imagery analysis by one consultant provided some independent corroboration of damage at the Belaya airbase in Irkutsk, identifying three destroyed Tu-95 bombers, one Tu-95 with possible damage, and a destroyed Tu-22M3.
Russian Confirmation and Claims
Russia confirmed Ukrainian drone attacks in five regions, labelling them a “terrorist act.” The Russian Defence Ministry stated that airbases in the Ivanovo, Ryazan, Amur (a region not initially mentioned by Ukraine), Murmansk, and Irkutsk regions were targeted.
While Russia claimed that “all attacks were repelled” at airfields in Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur, they admitted that in the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions, “several aircraft caught fire” after drones were launched from nearby areas. The ministry stated these blazes were extinguished with no casualties among military personnel and claimed some participants in the attacks had been detained.
Attacks Occur Amidst Diplomatic Efforts and Escalation
These significant drone strikes occurred just ahead of a scheduled second round of face-to-face peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian negotiators in Istanbul, Turkey. Expectations for a breakthrough in these talks remained low due to the wide disparity in the sides’ positions, highlighting the ongoing nature of the conflict despite diplomatic attempts.
The drone attack was part of a weekend of intense cross-border activity:
Massive Russian Attack on Ukraine: Simultaneously, Ukraine reported one of Russia’s largest single drone and missile attacks of the war, involving 472 drones and seven ballistic/cruise missiles targeting its territory. Ukraine claimed to have neutralized 385 aerial targets.
Russian Strike on Training Facility: Russia also reportedly conducted a missile strike on a Ukrainian military training centre, resulting in 12 deaths and over 60 injuries among military personnel. Ukraine’s head of land forces reportedly resigned following this incident.
Railway Incidents in Russia: In seemingly related developments, multiple railway bridge collapses and train derailments occurred overnight in Russia’s border regions (Bryansk and Kursk), causing casualties in Bryansk. While Russian officials attributed these to explosions or “illegal interference” and some directly blamed Ukraine, Ukrainian officials disputed involvement in at least one major incident, suggesting it could be a false flag. Ukrainian intelligence services have previously claimed responsibility for operations targeting Russian railway logistics.
The depth and sophistication of Ukraine’s drone attack on Russia’s strategic air fleet underscore the evolving tactics in the conflict and Ukraine’s increasing capability to strike high-value targets far from the front lines, sending a clear message amidst ongoing hostilities and stalled peace efforts.
References
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1ld7ppre9vo
- https://www.yahoo.com/news/ukraine-says-least-40-russian-125141595.html
- https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cgrg7kelk45t
- https://abcnews.go.com/International/russian-railway-bridges-collapse-2-regions-bordering-ukraine/story?id=122391100
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/01/ukraine-launches-major-drone-attack-on-russian-bombers-security-official-says
