Ukraine's Deepest Strike Yet: Covert 'Spider's Web' Drone Operation Damages 41 Russian Warplanes
Published on: June 2, 2025
By: Jilan Umatiya
In a bold escalation of its drone warfare capabilities, Ukraine has reportedly damaged 41 Russian warplanes during a top-secret drone operation—code-named 'Spider's Web'—that targeted four airbases deep inside Russian territory. This unprecedented strike marks Ukraine's deepest and most complex aerial assault since the war began.
Inside Operation 'Spider’s Web'
According to a senior Ukrainian security official who spoke to Reuters, the operation involved a covert logistics network where explosive-laden quadcopters were hidden inside wooden sheds and transported via civilian trucks to airfield perimeters across Russia.
Once positioned, the shed roofs were remotely opened, allowing swarms of drones to launch simultaneously, catching Russian forces completely off guard.
“This is the deepest drone strike we've ever conducted—targeting the enemy from within,” the Ukrainian official told Reuters.
Targets & Damage: Strategic Bombers Ablaze
Among the key targets was the Belaya Air Base in Irkutsk, located over 4,300 kilometers from the front lines. The base houses Tu-22M supersonic bombers, commonly used in long-range strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure.
Visuals released by Ukrainian sources show:
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Tu-95 and Tu-22M aircraft engulfed in flames
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Dozens of quadcopters stored in industrial warehouses
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Wooden truck-mounted sheds modified as launch units
If verified, this would be Ukraine's most destructive drone operation, disabling or damaging critical Russian long-range bombers far beyond typical drone range.
Russia Responds: Airfields Across 5 Regions Attacked
The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed the attacks on bases in:
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Murmansk
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Irkutsk
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Ivanovo
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Ryazan
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Amur
While most drones were reportedly intercepted, Russia acknowledged that FPV drones launched from close proximity did cause multiple aircraft fires, especially in Murmansk and Irkutsk.
???????? State media outlet Tass also reported that a truck driver suspected of aiding the operation is under investigation.
Ukraine’s Strategic Retaliation
The timing of 'Spider’s Web' is significant—it comes just days after Russia’s largest aerial bombardment of the war, in which 367 drones and missiles rained down on Ukrainian cities, killing 13 civilians and injuring dozens.
This stealth drone strike appears to be a calculated retaliatory response, showcasing Ukraine’s evolving asymmetric warfare tactics and ability to strike at the heart of Russian air power.
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What This Means for the War
This operation could redefine aerial warfare in modern conflicts—showing how low-cost, short-range drones, when combined with innovative logistics and intelligence, can challenge traditional military power.
With the Ukraine-Russia war intensifying, the global community will be watching to see if this bold strike shifts the strategic balance—or provokes new escalations.
