Ukraine Hits Russian Airbases in Deep Drone Strike Operation

On June 1, 2025, Ukraine launched a large-scale drone assault—codenamed “Operation Spider Web”—targeting four Russian military airbases deep inside Russian territory: Belaya (Irkutsk), Diaghilevo (Ryazan), Ivanovo Severny (Ivanovo), and Olenya (Murmansk). The operation, orchestrated by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), reportedly destroyed or seriously damaged more than 40 military aircraft, including Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers, and an A-50 airborne early warning aircraft.

Ukrainian officials said the drones were launched from inside Russian territory using camouflaged truck-based platforms. This tactic enabled them to bypass Russian air defenses and strike targets thousands of kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

If independently verified, this would constitute one of Ukraine’s most damaging attacks on Russia’s strategic aviation assets during the war.

The assault reflects Kyiv’s increasing dependence on long-range drones as a strategic tool, especially given Ukraine’s limited stock of cruise and ballistic missiles. It also underscores a shift from conventional warfare to asymmetric deep strikes aimed at degrading Russia’s long-range strike capabilities.

Russian authorities confirmed drone activity in several regions but provided limited information on the damage. Analysts believe the attack could escalate tensions and reshape operational dynamics on both sides.