Ukraine's intelligence agencies orchestrated an intricate operation targeting multiple airbases within Russia on Sunday. The attack caused significant damage, reportedly destroying 41 Russian combat jets. Ukrainian agents ingeniously transported drones armed with explosives, concealed them in wooden sheds, and strategically delivered them near Russian airbases.
These sheds were trucked to designated locations, where their roofs, remotely controlled, opened to release quadcopter drones that launched assaults on the parked bombers. A Ukrainian security officer revealed that this operation, codenamed 'Spiderweb', targeted four Russian airbases, marking the largest drone strike initiated by Ukraine to date.
Ukraine's Largest Drone Offensive
The mission dubbed 'Spiderweb' was conducted under the vigilant watch of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and SBU head Vasyl Malyuk. Although the exact damage is unconfirmed, if validated, it would signify the most devastating drone attack from Ukraine since the war's inception, purportedly utilizing 117 drones.
Source: aajtak
Drones Hidden in Wooden Sheds
Visuals shared by Ukrainian officials displayed numerous drones being readied within an industrial warehouse, with some hidden under detachable wooden shed roofs. Similarly, some unverified videos on Russian social media showed sheds on trucks, stripped of roofs, with drones taking off from within.
Destruction of Russia's Tu-22M Supersonic Bombers
The most critical target of this operation was the Belaya airbase in Russia's Irkutsk region, located 4,300 km from the battlefront. This base hosts the Tu-22M supersonic bombers, frequently deployed in missile strikes on Ukraine's infrastructure. Video evidence depicts several burning bombers, including the Tu-95. The distinctive aspect of this strike is its execution far beyond the range of conventional drones or missiles, indicating that Ukrainian drones were discreetly planted within Russia prior.
Targeted Airbases
Russia's Defense Ministry confirmed the attack, stating that Ukrainian drones targeted military airfields in Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions. While most drones were neutralized, FPV drones launched from close proximity caused aircraft fires in Murmansk and Irkutsk. The ministry reported the fires are under control, with no casualties.
Source: aajtak
Interrogation of Truck Drivers Ongoing
Russia's state news agency TASS reported interrogations of truck drivers transporting the drones. This assault coincides a week after Russia launched its largest airstrike on Ukrainian cities, deploying 367 missiles and drones, killing 13 civilians, including three children. That attack inflicted heavy damage on cities such as Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Mykolaiv.
18-Month Planning
According to reports, planning this operation took 18 months. Ukraine utilized first-person-view (FPV) drones, hidden in wooden mobile cabins aboard trucks sent into Russia. When the moment was right, the cabin roofs opened remotely, releasing the drones to target Russian bombers directly.
Cost-Effective Massive Impact
This Ukrainian attack is considered highly cost-effective, using FPV drones priced at a few hundred dollars against bombers valued in billions. In March, Ukraine announced the development of a new drone with a 3000-kilometer range but shared scant details. The SBU claims their drones target aircraft that nightly bomb Ukrainian cities.
