05.06.2025 12:51
Ukraine has released details of its historic drone strike against Russia's strategic bombing fleet. In the operation codenamed 'Operation Spider Web,' 41 Russian warplanes were destroyed. A total of 117 kamikaze drones were used in the operation. The attack targeted air bases in four different regions of Russia.
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Ukraine has released new footage detailing the historic drone strike it carried out against Russia's strategic bombing fleet. In the attack, codenamed "Operation Web," 41 Russian warplanes were destroyed.
A total of 117 kamikaze drones were used in the operation organized by the Ukrainian Intelligence Service (SBU). The strike targeted air bases in four different regions of Russia.
The released footage shows drones spiraling in the air as they land on Tu-95MS and Tu-22M strategic bombers and A-50 reconnaissance aircraft, detonating themselves. The wreckage of the planes burning on the runway after the attack is striking.
The most remarkable aspect of the operation was how the drones were delivered to Russian territory. Drones were transported by trucks in normal cargo containers and parked near Russian air bases.
The footage released on Wednesday shows unsuspecting truck drivers leaving the containers near the bases. When the container lids were opened, swarms of drones emerged and headed towards their targets.
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that he oversaw the 18-month planning process for the operation.
"It is truly satisfying that the plan I approved a year and a half ago has yielded results and that Russia has lost more than 40 strategic aircraft. We will continue this work," he said.
The estimated cost to Russia for the 41 aircraft destroyed in the attack is around $7 billion (£5.4 billion). Satellite images confirm the burned wreckage of the planes on the runway.
It has been observed that Russia hastily removed some wreckage pieces to conceal the extent of the damage.
In his first public appearance after the attack, Putin did not mention the operation. Instead, in a statement to officials, he accused the Ukrainian administration of being "terrorists."
Putin complained about Ukraine's attacks on the Russian railway network but did not address the civilian massacres carried out by his forces in Ukrainian cities.
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