Kyiv has stunned Moscow and the world by launching a daring drone strike targeting Russian military bases deep inside Russian territory. The offensive, termed Operation Spider Web, was described by Ukraine as its “most long range operation” to date.
The surprise attack hit at least 41 Russian aircraft, including strategic bombers Tu-95 and Tu-22, as well as the A-50 radar detection and command plane, according to Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU). Moscow confirmed airfields in Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur were struck by first-person-view (FPV) drones, with several aircraft reportedly catching fire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the operation “an absolutely brilliant result… achieved solely by Ukraine,” in a post on X.
“Today, a brilliant operation was carried out — on enemy territory, targeting only military objectives, specifically the equipment used to strike Ukraine. Russia suffered significant losses — entirely justified and deserved. The preparation took over a year and a half. Planning, organisation, every detail was perfectly executed. It can be said with confidence that this was an absolutely unique operation,” Zelenskyy said.
Also read: Ukrainian drones hit Russian airbase, damage over 40 aircraft
In a detailed statement posted on X, the Ukrainian president emphasised the need for combined pressure on Russia, stating: "Pressure is truly needed, pressure on Russia that should bring it back to reality. Pressure through sanctions. Pressure from our forces. Pressure through diplomacy. All of it must work together."
Zelenskyy revealed that the operation was coordinated from an office adjacent to the headquarters of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). He added, “In total, 117 drones were used in the operation with a corresponding number of drone operators involved. 34 per cent of the strategic cruise missile carriers stationed at air bases were hit. Our people operated across several Russian regions — in three different time zones. And the people who assisted us were withdrawn from Russian territory before the operation, they are now safe.”
The president also noted that Kyiv had prior intelligence indicating Russia was preparing for a large-scale strike, cautioning citizens not to ignore air raid alerts. He said, “It’s genuinely satisfying when something I authorised a year and six months ago comes to fruition and deprives Russians of over forty units of strategic aviation. We will continue this work.”
The planning of the offensive spanned over a year and a half. Drones were smuggled into Russia hidden inside trucks parked near airbases. At the moment of attack, remote mechanisms opened truck roofs, allowing drones to launch undetected.
Zelenskyy, however, reiterated Ukraine’s call for “a full and unconditional ceasefire,” describing their peace proposal as “logical and realistic.” However, he noted Russia’s refusal to share its counterproposal with any party.
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