Ukraine carried out the most outrageous drone attack in modern history on Russian soil on June 1, 2025. Operation Spiderweb used 117 drones to attack five military airbases across several time zones deep within Russian borders. During the course of the operation, Ukraine hit Russia’s nuclear capable strategic bombers, the purpose of which is to drop nuclear bombs on long distance enemy territory.
The Kamikaze Drones targeted airbases in the Russian Arctic and Eastern Siberia. The Olenya Airbase was targeted in the Russian Arctic. Drones also attacked the Belaya Airbase in Eastern Siberia.
Catastrophic pictures of the destruction of Russian strategic aircraft and bombers are going viral on social media. As per reports, one third of Russia’s air strategic cruise missiles were destroyed during Operation Spiderweb with losses amounting to 7 billion dollars.
Ukraine has taken asymmetric warfare tactics to the next level with this operation. As per reports, these explosive laden drones were concealed inside wooden boxes and smuggled into Russia with the help of trucks. Then these trucks went deep into Russian territories before the attack. The lid of the wooden boxes containing the explosives were opened remotely and the swarm of drones was launched. The command centre of the attack was very close to Russian Military headquarters.
Ukraine’s Security Service SBU co-ordinated Operation Spiderweb where as many as 41 Russian Aircraft like Tu-95 and Tu-22 are claimed to have been destroyed. Allegedly, the drones used advanced AI technology to avoid detection with speculation of foreign logistic supports. These drones also precisely targeted the fuel tanks of the aircrafts for maximum damage.
According to SBU, Ukraine took 18 months to prepare for this Operation. Zelensky said, “The preparation took over a year and a half. What’s most interesting, is that the “office” of our operation on Russian territory was located directly next to FSB headquarters in one of their regions.” He added, “In total, 117 drones were used in the operation with a corresponding number of drone operators involved. 34% of the strategic cruise missile carriers stationed at air bases were hit.”
Russia responded claiming the attack was a terror attack, “All terror attacks on military airfields in the Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur Regions were repelled.” These airfields included Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur.
However, Zelensky has proposed for an unconditional ceasefire from Russia after the attack. Calling the operation a brilliant success, the Ukranian President asked for more international sanctions against Russia. Russian military have already labelled the attack as ”Black Day” for aviation. Some news media also called the attack as Russia’s Pearl Harbour.
Ukraine: The largest military drone producer in the world
4.5 million drones. That is the number of drones Ukraine plans to produce this year. Russia produces 3 to 4 million drones a year. As per sources, Ukranian drones are more flexible and resistant to radio jamming. Ukraine’s FPV (First-Person-View) drones have demonstrated through the Operation Spiderweb that they have acquired the ability to strike targets located thousands of kilometres away.
It is not just Ukraine, even Russia has caused significant damage to the Ukranian forces using these tiny unmanned vehicles. These small flying objects have killed hundreds of thousands of people and damaged thousands of vehicles amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Ukraine’s drone attack happened just before the peace talks in Turkey. As per reports, officials from Russia and Ukraine had a meeting on Monday at the Ciragan Palace in Turkey, a day after the massive drone bombing in Russia. The meeting lasted just over an hour with both sides agreeing to swap bodies of 6000 soldiers killed during the war. But, statements from senior officials from both sides suggest that the war is far from over.
