In a film attack that surprised military analysts, Ukraine destroyed 41 Russian military aircraft on Sunday (1) in one of the boldest operations since the beginning of the war.
Named “Spider Web Operation”, the action combined low -cost drones and infiltration tactics to reach four air bases located thousands of kilometers from the front, in an onslaught that took more than a year and a half to be planned.
How was the Spider Web Operation
According to information confirmed by the Ukrainian Intelligence Agency (SBU) and released by vehicles as Financial Timesthe attack used 117 FPV (First Person View) drones, controlled by soil operators and capable of performing accurate explosives attacks.
These drones, usually used in competitions and civil footage, were adapted for military purposes and hidden in camouflaged wood structures on the containers ceiling.
Transported by trucks that simulated common loads, the equipment was positioned near the Russian bases. At the time of the attack, a remote mechanism opened the containers’ ceilings, allowing drones to handle flight and reach the targets.
The unusual and bold strategy was described by sources of the Ukrainian government as a “modern trojan horse.” The operation was personally supervised by President Volodymyr Zelensky and SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk. “An absolutely brilliant result,” said Zelensky, who revealed that the plan took 1 year, 6 months and 9 days to run.
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Which bases and aircraft were hit
The action reached air bases located at strategic points of Russia: Belaya (near Sedny, Siberia, about 5,500 km from the Ukraine border), Olenya (on the Kola Peninsula), Dyagilevo (200 km from Moscow) and Ivanovo (300 km from the Russian capital). There were also attacks recorded in the regions of Amur and Ryazan.
TU-95 and TU-22M strategic bombers, as well as A-50’s surveillance aircraft-high value used to launch long-range missiles and aerial coordination, were destroyed or damaged. According to SBU, 34% of the Russian strategic bombing fleet was hit ,.
Experts say that while not directly altering the course of war on the front, the attack weakens the strategic capacity of Russia. “This reduces Moscow’s ability to project power globally,” a former Ukrainian officer told Fronelligence Insight group.
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FPV drones: cheap and effective weapons
And were adapted to carry explosives. Some models, such as “Baba Yaga”, can carry up to 15 kg of war load and operate with thermal cameras, which makes them effective even in night attacks.
Its growing use by Ukraine shows how asymmetrical war has favored affordable military innovations, with high impact at a relatively low cost.
Russian reaction
The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed the attacks and fires on the basis, classifying the action as a “terrorist.” Moscow stated that he had detained participants in the operation, without revealing details. So far, there is no confirmation about direct retaliation.
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Even with the attack, Ukraine reaffirmed that it will participate in the new round of peace negotiations in Istanbul, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umarov. The Russian delegation will be headed by Vladimir Medinsky, along with senior intelligence and diplomacy officials.
(with Financial Times, AP and Reuters)
