On June 1, 2025, Ukraine executed its most extensive and audacious drone operation of the war, targeting multiple Russian airbases deep within Russian territory. The operation, codenamed “Operation Spider’s Web,” resulted in the destruction or damage of over 40 Russian military aircraft, including strategic bombers and surveillance planes, according to Ukrainian officials.
The coordinated strikes hit five Russian airbases: Belaya, Dyagilevo, Ivanovo Severny, Olenya, and Ukrainka, spanning across five oblasts and time zones, including regions in Siberia and near the Arctic Circle. The drones, numbering 117, were concealed in modified cargo containers mounted on trucks, which had been covertly positioned within Russian territory. These drones were launched remotely, targeting high-value aircraft such as the Tu-95 and Tu-22M bombers, as well as A-50 surveillance planes. Notably, some of the targeted bombers were reportedly covered with tires—a Russian tactic intended to confuse drone guidance systems.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally oversaw the operation, which was the culmination of over 18 months of meticulous planning by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). The operation’s success was hailed by Ukrainian officials, who estimated the damage inflicted on Russia’s air missile fleet at approximately $7 billion, asserting that about one-third of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers were destroyed.
In response, Russia launched its most extensive drone assault on Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion in 2022, deploying 472 drones and several missiles overnight. These attacks resulted in the deaths of 12 Ukrainian soldiers and injuries to over 60 individuals.
he timing of these escalations is particularly significant, occurring just before scheduled peace talks in Istanbul. While Ukraine has confirmed its participation in the talks, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, substantial gaps remain between the negotiating positions of the two countries. Ukraine continues to reject Russian sovereignty over seized territories and demands reparations, whereas Russia insists that Ukraine renounce NATO ambitions and cede contested regions.
The United States was reportedly not informed in advance about Ukraine’s drone operation, a departure from previous protocols given the close involvement of the U.S. in Ukrainian military planning. Wikipedia
This unprecedented operation underscores Ukraine’s escalating capabilities in asymmetric and electronic warfare, marking a significant shift in the dynamics of the ongoing conflict.
