On June 1, Ukraine launched a very bold and carefully planned attack on several Russian military airbases far inside Russia’s territory. This attack used many small drones and surprised the world because it reached places very far from the usual fighting areas. The operation, called ‘Operation Spider’s Web’, was planned over one and a half years. It hit at least five Russian airbases and destroyed around 41 bomber aircraft, leaving them in flames.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the attack as “an absolutely brilliant result” and said it will “undoubtedly be in the history books”. He added that planning for this attack started 18 months ago and that those involved “were withdrawn from Russian territory in time”.

This strike happened just before important peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, which were scheduled to begin in Istanbul on June 2. The attack also came soon after Russia increased its bombing of Ukrainian cities.

How did Ukraine carry out such a long-range drone attack?

The drones used in this attack were very special. Known as FPV drones (First-Person View drones), these are small drones with cameras that send live video to the operator. This allows the operator to control the drone with great precision, almost like flying a small aircraft.

Ukraine smuggled these drones into Russia, hidden inside wooden cabins placed on trucks. These cabins’ roofs opened remotely, allowing the drones to take off quietly and fly towards the Russian airbases. This tactic made the attack very difficult to detect and stop.

According to reports, the attack caused about $7 billion in damage and destroyed many combat planes. The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed that five airbases in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions were attacked. They claimed that the strikes on Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur were stopped, but the damage at Murmansk and Irkutsk was significant.

Many locals in Siberia shared videos showing small drones flying from truck roofs towards airfields, followed by smoke rising after the attack. This shows how far inside Russia the drones reached—thousands of kilometres from the Ukraine frontlines.

Ukraine’s security agency, the SBU, took responsibility for the attack. Their chief, Vasily Maliuk, released video footage and said, “Russian strategic bombers… all burning delightfully.” He also said over 100 FPV drones were used, smuggled in special wooden cabins, and then released remotely.

Experts say this attack changes how wars are fought today. Alex Plitsas, a security expert, said:
“For all the long-range missiles and fighter jets, it was 150 drones in shipping containers or trucks that took out a reported 1/3 of Russia’s strategic bomber fleet and unmanned surface drones that neutered the Black Fleet. Warfare as we knew it just a decade ago is over.”

This mission was different from Ukraine’s earlier attacks, which mostly used larger drones flying closer to Russia’s borders at night. This time, small drones attacked during the day and flew deep inside Russian territory, changing the usual battle patterns.

The attack destroyed many important Russian aircraft, including early-warning planes and strategic bombers like the Tu-22M3 and Tu-95. These planes are very old and hard to replace, and Russia has fewer than 100 of them. Losing about a third of this fleet is a major blow.

The planning behind this operation was very detailed. According to The Economist, Ukrainians first encouraged Russia to move planes to certain bases by attacking others. Just days before the drone attack, many planes were moved to Olenya airfield in Murmansk, where the biggest damage happened.

Some experts compare this attack to the 2022 Kerch bridge attack, where a bomb hidden in a truck destroyed part of a key Russian bridge. They suggest the truck drivers might not have known what they were carrying this time as well.

What does this mean for the future of warfare and security?

The success of this drone attack shows how powerful and effective drone warfare can be. Thomas Shugart, an expert from the Centre for a New American Security, warned about similar attacks that could happen in other countries.

He said: “Imagine, on game-day, containers at railyards, on Chinese-owned container ships in port or offshore, on trucks parked at random properties… spewing forth thousands of drones that sally forth and at least mission-kill the crown jewels of the [US Air Force]… would be ‘entirely feasible’.”

Shugart’s warning shows that many countries, including the US and India, need to prepare for new threats from drone attacks. He even suggested that important aircraft, such as bombers, should be protected in hardened shelters to stop attacks like this.

The Ukraine drone strike also highlights how wars in the future may be fought more with small, smart machines rather than only with big weapons like missiles and fighter jets.

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