On June 1, 2025, Ukraine unleashed its most ambitious military operation yet, striking five Russian airbases thousands of kilometers away and codenamed “Operation Spider’s Web.” The coordinated drone assault, codenamed by some as “Operation Spider’s Web,” targeted strategic bombers and surveillance aircraft and marked a significant escalation in their conflict with Ukraine. correspondant for Financial Times; The Australian; Times of India (all four); WNDTV/NDTV News Network Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) orchestrated an attack, using 117 drones smuggled into Russia over an 18-month period and hidden within mobile wooden cabins mounted on trucks for deployment in Russian territory. These drones caused over 40 Russian military aircraft, such as Tu-95 bombers, Tu-22M3 bombers, A-50 early warning planes, A-50 airborne early warning and control planes to be either damaged or destroyed; estimated damages to amount to about $7 billion according to Ukrainian estimates; 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers were incapacitated, according to Ukrainian estimates; these losses compared with 34% being estimated by Ukrainian officials claiming 34% incapacitating 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers being incapacitated vs 34% incapacitating 34% vs Russia = +5 The targeted airbases–Belaya in Irkutsk, Olenya in Murmansk, Dyagilevo near Ryazan, Ivanovo Severny and Ukrainka in Amur–spread across five Russian regions and multiple time zones, with Belaya airbase located over 5,500 kilometers from Ukraine; thus underscoring its wide reach of operation.Wikipedia and The Washington Post both published reports detailing this operation’s extent. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally oversaw the planning and execution of this mission, hailing it as “brilliant” and “perfectly prepared”, while emphasizing its strategic significance. (Wikipedia). Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed several aircraft had caught fire due to drone attacks on airbases. Russia authorities labeled this operation as a terrorist attack and launched investigations, detaining individuals suspected of involvement. The drone offensive, however, occurred simultaneously with renewed peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul. Despite escalation of hostilities between them, Ukraine put forward proposals calling for full ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, return of deported Ukrainian children and future security guarantees – although negotiations resulted in no major breakthroughs due to each side maintaining firm stances during talks. Financial Times +4 The Times +4 AP News =+4 The Australian =3 Hence Financial Times, Times and Washington Post have all recorded +3 news agencies covering them extensively over this issue as they cover them extensively as does Financial Times +3 Financial Times +3 The Australian = +3. AP News mes The operation has drawn comparisons to past military surprises, with some Russian commentators dubbing it Russia’s Pearl Harbor. Its successful execution exposed vulnerabilities in Russia’s air defense systems while showing Ukraine’s growing capabilities in asymmetric warfare. The Washington Post As the conflict progresses, the international community closely observes, fearful of further escalation or any broad implications resulting from these unprecedented military actions.
