In a relentless series of drone attacks, Ukraine has significantly damaged Russia's air fleet. Recent satellite images obtained shortly after the drone operations reveal the extent of the destruction wreaked by Ukrainian forces on multiple Russian bomber aircraft.
By launching 117 unmanned aerial vehicles from containers strategically placed near targets, Ukraine managed to target about four air bases across Russia effectively. Verified footage from the operation shows multiple aircraft attacked at around two locations.
A closer look at the damage...
Capella Space, a satellite company, provided Reuters with an image of one airport in Siberia’s Irkutsk region. Captured on June 2, this image serves as a testament to one of the most complex and effective operations commenced by Ukraine in the ongoing conflict that has lasted over three years.
While traditional satellite images may become unclear due to cloud cover, data from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites effectively directs energy beams to Earth, detecting echoes, thereby identifying minute details.
John Ford of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies stated, "Based on visible debris, the news released via Telegram posts on Twitter, and recent satellite images, I can confirm extensive destruction of several aircraft."
Source: aajtak
Ford confirmed that SAR images depict the remnants of two Tu-22 Backfire bombers, long-range jets utilized by Russia in Ukrainian assaults. He also mentioned that four Tu-95 heavy bombers were either destroyed or severely damaged.
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41 Aircraft Damaged in Operations...
Footage from another airfield at Olenya Base in Murmansk shows two bombers ablaze and a third plane damaged by a massive explosion. Reuters confirmed the bombers were Tu-95s.
Russia's Defense Ministry acknowledged that Ukraine targeted airports in Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur areas, claiming that air defenses were partially successful but failed at suppressing threats fully in Murmansk and Irkutsk, leading to fires in several aircraft.
The Kremlin has commenced a thorough investigation into these attacks. Top Russian security leader Dmitry Medvedev notified that retaliation is inevitable, reflecting the seriousness of Russia's response.
Source: aajtak
Ukraine’s domestic intelligence agency, SBU, claimed responsibility for the operation, named 'Spider Web.' They reported 41 Russian aircraft as casualties of this strategic onslaught, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed as an 'absolutely brilliant maneuver.'
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The Costly Toll of War
On a recent Tuesday, Ukraine's military updated its findings regarding Russia's losses. Initially, they documented the destruction of 12 aircraft, later escalating the total to 41.
The Ukrainian military said, "After processing and verifying additional data from various sources, we confirm a total reported loss of 41 military aircraft, including strategic bombers and other fighter variants."
SBU estimates the operation incurred damages worth $7 billion, revealing that 34% of cruise missile-carrying bombers across Russia's chief airfields were impacted.
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), this attack might compel Russia to reconfigure its airspace security measures. ISW emphasized, "This operation will force Russian authorities to reconsider redistributing Russia’s air defense systems, aiming to cover a broader perimeter and possibly deploy mobile air defense units to respond swiftly to potential future Ukrainian drone strikes."
Regarded as one of the most impactful and exhaustive endeavors since 2022, this drone operation signifies a pivotal moment in the Ukrainian defensive strategy.
