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Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) conducted a massive coordinated drone attack on four Russian military airfields on June 1, damaging 41 strategic aircraft worth an estimated $2 billion in what officials called one of the war's most audacious operations.
The complex operation, codenamed "Spiderweb," targeted Russian bomber aircraft at airbases thousands of kilometers from Ukraine's borders, striking facilities in Irkutsk, Murmansk, Ryazan, and Ivanovo regions simultaneously.
According to SBU sources, the damaged aircraft included A-50 early warning planes, Tu-95 strategic bombers, and Tu-22M3 supersonic bombers — key components of Russia's long-range strike capabilities used in attacks on Ukrainian cities.
The operation struck the Belaya airbase in Irkutsk Oblast, more than 4,000 kilometers from Ukraine, along with the Olenya base in Murmansk Oblast near the Arctic Circle, Dyagilevo airbase in Ryazan Oblast, and Ivanovo airbase in Ivanovo Oblast.
Video footage released by Ukrainian sources showed multiple aircraft engulfed in flames at the targeted facilities, with thick black smoke rising from the airfields.
SBU sources revealed the operation required extensive preparation spanning one and a half years.
The plan involved smuggling first-person-view (FPV) drones into Russia, then concealing them under the roofs of mobile wooden cabins mounted on trucks.
"The SBU first transported FPV drones to Russia, and later on the territory of the Russian Federation, the drones were hidden under the roofs of mobile wooden cabins already placed on trucks," an SBU source told Ukrainian media.
At the designated time, the cabin roofs opened remotely, allowing dozens of drones to launch directly from the trucks positioned near the airfields.
The operation was personally overseen by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and SBU Chief Vasyl Malyuk, according to intelligence sources.
Officials emphasized that all operatives involved in the mission have safely returned to Ukraine.
"The individuals involved in this historic special operation have long since returned to Ukraine," SBU sources stated.
"So, if the Putin regime demonstratively detains someone, it will be another staged performance for the domestic audience."
Russian regional governors confirmed drone attacks in their territories. Irkutsk Oblast Governor Igor Kobzev acknowledged "a drone attack on a military unit" and stated the "source" of the drones was identified as trucks.
Murmansk Governor Andrey Chibis confirmed "enemy drones have attacked the territory of the Murmansk region," while Ryazan Governor Pavel Malkov reported the attack occurred on Children's Day but claimed no casualties.
The strikes occurred as Ukraine prepared to send a delegation to Istanbul for peace talks with Russian officials on Monday.
The talks, hosted by Türkiye and encouraged by U.S. President Donald Trump, aim to explore ceasefire prospects in the three-year conflict.
President Zelenskyy announced Ukraine's priorities for the talks include "a complete and unconditional ceasefire" and the return of prisoners and abducted children.
Talks between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations are scheduled to take place tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. (local time) at the Ciragan Palace, according to sources from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The targeted aircraft play a crucial role in Russia's military operations. A-50 planes provide early warning capabilities and coordinate targets for fighter jets, with Russia possessing fewer than ten of these $350 million aircraft.
Tu-95 bombers, Soviet-era planes capable of carrying 16 cruise missiles each, have been regularly used to launch strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure.
The supersonic Tu-22M3 bombers carry Kh-22 missiles that travel at approximately 4,000 kilometers per hour.
The operation highlights Ukraine's innovative approach to asymmetric warfare, using relatively inexpensive FPV drones costing hundreds of dollars each to target multi-million-dollar strategic aircraft.
The SBU described the mission as aimed at "destroying enemy bomber aircraft far from the front" that "bomb Ukrainian cities every night."
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