In what is described as the boldest drone attack in history, Ukraine destroyed 41 Russian warplanes in a wide-scale attack that penetrated deep into the heart of Russia. Conducted under “Operation Spider Web,” the Ukrainian strike effectively targeted five strategic Russian airfields, some as far as 8,000 kilometers from the Ukraine-Russia border.
Air Bases Targeted Throughout Russia in a Historic Drone Operation
Ukraine’s carefully coordinated drone attack focused on the following five Russian airfields:
- Belaya Air Base, Irkutsk, Siberia – More than 4,500 km from the Ukraine border
- Olenya Air Base, Murmansk, Arctic area – More than 2,000 km from the border
- Ivanovo Severny Air Base, Ivanovo – More than 800 km from the border
- Dyagilevo Air Base, Ryazan – 520 km deep within Russia
- Ukrainka Air Base in Russia’s Far East – Almost 8,000 km from Ukraine
All of these air bases were crucial Russian military platforms, equipped with assets such as long-range bombers, airborne warning aircraft, and aerial refueling aircraft. Despite defensive measures in place at all facilities, Ukraine’s fleet of drones was able to penetrate and conduct high-value attacks on all five bases.
Satellite Images Reveal Strategic Aircraft, Decoys, and Defense Measures
High-resolution satellite images taken before the attack showed Russian aircraft sitting exposed on the tarmacs. Some of the aircraft included Tu-160 strategic bombers, Tu-95 long-range bombers, Tu-22 aircraft, A-50 AWACS planes, and Ilyushin IL-78 refueling tankers.
Tu-160 bombers, the pillar of the Russian Air Force, at Belaya Air Base were seen with tyres mounted on the wings and fuselage, a simple defense to discourage or soak up drone attacks. Satellites also captured painted tarmac decoys of aircraft aimed at deceiving attackers.
The defensive measures, however, were ineffective. A video at Belaya captures columns of black smoke billowing after a successful drone attack.
Strategic Losses at Olenya and Ivanovo Bases
At Russia’s strategic Arctic military base at Olenya Air Base, Tu-22 bombers and Tu-95s were among the aircraft in view before the attack. Satellite photos taken before the strike reveal these capable bombers lined up next to each other, providing limited cover. Following the attack, video images revealed great clouds of smoke rolling off the destroyed aircraft.
The Tu-95, which is specifically nuclear-capable and a four-engine turboprop bomber and strategic missile platform, is critical to Russia’s long-range attack forces. These aircraft were among the top priority targets in the Ukrainian campaign.
Ukraine struck at Russia’s A-50 AWACS aircraft at the Ivanovo Severny Air Base. These are airborne command centers and highly valuable platforms. With Russia’s already depleted stock of A-50s and previous losses on the battlefield, this attack can prove to be a devastating blow to Russia’s surveillance and coordination capabilities.
Russia’s Aircraft Decoys Fail at Dyagilevo and Ukrainka Bases
The Dyagilevo Air Base in Ryazan accommodated IL-78 aerial refueling planes, derived from the IL-76 platform. Satellite imagery again revealed painted aircraft decoys, intended to confuse attackers. Those decoys failed to prevent Ukraine’s drones from inflicting serious damage.
The Ukrainka Air Base, which is more than 8,000 km away from the Ukrainian border in the Russian Far East, was also not spared. Tu-95 bombers were deployed there as well. The capability of Ukraine to attack the base has shaken the Russian defense establishment, exposing drastic loopholes in long-range defense.
Operation Spider Web: A Strategic Masterstroke
Ukraine hid the drones in container trucks, allowing its forces to discreetly transport and deploy them before operating them remotely. This Trojan-horse-type penetration completely caught Russia off guard. Ukraine asserts that the operation destroyed 41 Russian warplanes.
Western-supplied missiles such as the ATACMS or Storm Shadow lack the range to cover these bases, rendering Ukraine’s employment of long-range drones a vast capability improvement.
Russia Caught Off-Guard, Ukraine’s Morale Soars
The Russian forces would have most probably assumed that the immense distances of its interior bases would serve as a natural defense. In spite of Russia having a numerically dominant air force and possessing air superiority over Ukraine, this operation is a great psychological and strategic win for Kyiv.
The success of Operation Spider Web presents not only a morale lift for Ukraine but also a harsh warning to Moscow about its weaknesses, even well within its borders.
