Operation Spiderweb: Ukraine Strikes Russian Airpower with Daring Drone Assault
In a remarkable turn of events during the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, a Ukrainian drone operation has reportedly destroyed billions of dollars worth of Russian aircraft stationed at military bases throughout the country, including locations as far as Siberia. Dubbed Operation Spiderweb, this meticulously planned assault is said to be the longest-range strike Ukraine has conducted since the war began.
Over a span of 18 months, Ukrainian intelligence agents secretly moved short-range drones and explosives into Russian territory, setting the stage for a long-prepared attack. According to Vasyl Maliuk, head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), drones were smuggled into the country and cleverly concealed in containers that were subsequently transported to various Russian bases. Positioned near these bases, the containers were designed to open remotely, allowing the drones to deploy and initiate their assault.
This tactical approach utilized first-person view (FPV) drones, which allowed operators to control them remotely, presumably from Ukrainian soil. Launching drones directly from Ukraine would have posed significant challenges, including the need to evade extensive Russian air defenses.
Images released by Ukrainian security officials showcase the innovative containers disguised as wooden sheds. Visual evidence, recorded by Russian media, captures the drones ascending from their concealed launch pads to commence their mission. The SBU claims that the drone strikes successfully damaged 41 aircraft utilized by Russian military forces in their operations against Ukraine, although the overall impact of the attack remains difficult to fully ascertain.
Reports indicate that among the aircraft targeted were advanced A-50 surveillance planes, along with formidable supersonic Tu-160 and Tu-22 bombers, and the infamous Tu-95s, originally designed for carrying nuclear weapons and now adapted to launch cruise missiles. The SBU estimates that the total value of the aircraft hit in the operation amounts to approximately $7 billion, impacting four airbases as part of these drone strikes.
The targets of this audacious operation included the Belaya airbase in Irkutsk – over 2,500 miles from Ukraine – as well as the Olenya airbase in Murmansk, Dyagilevo airbase in Ryazan, and Ivanovo Severny airbase in Ivanovo. The Russian Defense Ministry has acknowledged that several of its military aircraft caught fire during the attack in both the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions, though it reported no casualties and mentioned that a number of individuals involved have been arrested.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine commenced in February 2022, Ukrainian forces have faced overwhelming odds; however, they have adapted by developing a large and cost-effective fleet of attack drones. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the operation involved a total of 117 drones and an equal number of drone operators. He claimed that 34 strategic cruise missile carriers stationed at the targeted airbases were impacted.
Praising the joint efforts required to execute the operation, Zelenskyy emphasized that personnel had to operate across multiple Russian regions and time zones. Importantly, those who assisted in the operation were withdrawn from Russian territory before its execution and are reported to now be safe, although the president did not clarify whether these operatives were Ukrainian or Russian.
Operation Spiderweb stands as a testament to Ukraine’s innovative strategies and determination to disrupt Russian military power, highlighting the increasing capabilities and coordination within its defense operations.
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