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Thursday, Jun 05, 2025
Outside the box.
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Operation 'Spiderweb' targets strategic bombers across five Russian regions with 117 drones
On June 1, 2025, Ukraine conducted a coordinated drone assault on five Russian military airbases, marking one of the most extensive long-range operations since the onset of the conflict.
The operation, codenamed 'Spiderweb,' was orchestrated by Ukraine's Security Service over an 18-month period and involved the deployment of 117 first-person view (FPV) drones.
The targeted airbases—Belaya in Irkutsk Oblast, Dyagilevo in Ryazan Oblast, Ivanovo Severny in Ivanovo Oblast, Olenya in Murmansk Oblast, and Ukrainka in Amur Oblast—are known to house strategic aircraft, including Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 bombers, as well as A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft.
Ukrainian officials reported that the strikes resulted in damage or destruction to over 40 military aircraft, accounting for approximately 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers.
The estimated financial impact of the operation is around $7 billion.
The drones were covertly transported into Russian territory, concealed within wooden structures mounted on trucks.
These mobile units were positioned near the targeted airfields.
At the designated time, the structures’ roofs were remotely activated to release the drones, which then proceeded to their respective targets.
Ukrainian operatives involved in the operation were reportedly extracted from Russia prior to the commencement of the attacks.
One of the most notable aspects of the operation was the strike on Belaya Air Base in Eastern Siberia, located over 4,300 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
This represents the longest-range drone attack carried out by Ukraine to date.
Satellite imagery and local reports confirmed significant damage at the site, including the destruction of multiple Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers.
The Russian Ministry of Defense acknowledged the attacks, stating that aircraft were damaged and fires were ignited at airbases in the Irkutsk and Murmansk regions.
The ministry also reported repelling strikes in the Amur, Ivanovo, and Ryazan regions.
Independent verification of the full extent of the damage remains pending.
The operation coincided with ongoing peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul.
Ukrainian officials have expressed skepticism regarding Russia’s commitment to the negotiations, citing the timing of the attacks and the lack of prior communication about Russia’s negotiation proposals.
This operation follows a series of Ukrainian efforts targeting Russian military infrastructure, including previous drone strikes on airbases and strategic assets.
The use of domestically produced FPV drones and innovative deployment methods underscores Ukraine’s evolving tactics in the conflict.
The operation, codenamed 'Spiderweb,' was orchestrated by Ukraine's Security Service over an 18-month period and involved the deployment of 117 first-person view (FPV) drones.
The targeted airbases—Belaya in Irkutsk Oblast, Dyagilevo in Ryazan Oblast, Ivanovo Severny in Ivanovo Oblast, Olenya in Murmansk Oblast, and Ukrainka in Amur Oblast—are known to house strategic aircraft, including Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 bombers, as well as A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft.
Ukrainian officials reported that the strikes resulted in damage or destruction to over 40 military aircraft, accounting for approximately 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers.
The estimated financial impact of the operation is around $7 billion.
The drones were covertly transported into Russian territory, concealed within wooden structures mounted on trucks.
These mobile units were positioned near the targeted airfields.
At the designated time, the structures’ roofs were remotely activated to release the drones, which then proceeded to their respective targets.
Ukrainian operatives involved in the operation were reportedly extracted from Russia prior to the commencement of the attacks.
One of the most notable aspects of the operation was the strike on Belaya Air Base in Eastern Siberia, located over 4,300 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
This represents the longest-range drone attack carried out by Ukraine to date.
Satellite imagery and local reports confirmed significant damage at the site, including the destruction of multiple Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers.
The Russian Ministry of Defense acknowledged the attacks, stating that aircraft were damaged and fires were ignited at airbases in the Irkutsk and Murmansk regions.
The ministry also reported repelling strikes in the Amur, Ivanovo, and Ryazan regions.
Independent verification of the full extent of the damage remains pending.
The operation coincided with ongoing peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul.
Ukrainian officials have expressed skepticism regarding Russia’s commitment to the negotiations, citing the timing of the attacks and the lack of prior communication about Russia’s negotiation proposals.
This operation follows a series of Ukrainian efforts targeting Russian military infrastructure, including previous drone strikes on airbases and strategic assets.
The use of domestically produced FPV drones and innovative deployment methods underscores Ukraine’s evolving tactics in the conflict.