Ukraine’s military launched a bold and extensive drone attack on multiple Russian airbases, claiming the destruction of over 40 strategic bomber jets.
The operation, codenamed “Spider Web” by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), targeted four airfields across vast Russian regions, including the remote Siberian city of Irkutsk.
Irkutsk, situated more than 4,300 kilometers from the Russia-Ukraine border, faced one of the most striking blows in this meticulously planned assault.
Ukrainian drones, hidden beneath mobile wooden houses and remotely deployed, struck planes reportedly used by Russia in attacks on Ukrainian cities.
According to Ukrainian sources, preparations for this “extremely complex” operation spanned over a year and a half, showcasing high-level logistics and precision.
The strike hit airfields in Olenya, Ivanovo, Dyagilevo, and Belaya, shaking Moscow’s military infrastructure far from the frontline.
Russian officials acknowledged drone attacks on several bases but claimed the assault largely failed, with fires quickly extinguished and no casualties reported.
Governors from Irkutsk, Murmansk, and Ryazan regions confirmed drone strikes, though some denied explosions in key military sites like Severomorsk, the Northern Fleet’s main base.
The Russian Defense Ministry said some attackers have been detained, and that the launch point of the drones— reportedly a truck—has been blocked.
A Ukrainian official noted Kyiv did not notify the U.S. administration ahead of the operation, underlining the secrecy surrounding the mission.
This unprecedented deep strike into Russian soil marks a new chapter in the ongoing conflict, highlighting Ukraine’s evolving tactical reach.
