On June 1, 2025, Ukraine executed what is being hailed as its most audacious and far-reaching drone assault on Russian territory, targeting strategic air bases and dealing a significant blow to Russia’s military capabilities. Labeled by Ukrainian officials as the “Spider’s Web” operation, this meticulously planned strike destroyed or damaged over 40 nuclear-capable long-range bombers, representing 34% of Russia’s air missile carrier fleet. With damages estimated between $2 billion and $7 billion, the attack marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Here’s a comprehensive look at what happened, how Ukraine pulled it off, Russia’s response, and what this means for the future.

The Attack: A Precision Strike on Russian Air Power

Ukrainian security officials announced that the country’s military, in coordination with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), struck 40 Russian warplanes across multiple air bases on Sunday, June 1, 2025. The operation, dubbed “Spider’s Web,” targeted high-value strategic assets, including A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft, Tu-95 strategic bombers, and Tu-22M3 long-range bombers, which Russia uses to launch missile strikes on Ukraine.

According to a Telegram post by the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff, SBU drones inflicted over $2 billion in damage, a figure later revised by the SBU to $7 billion (approximately $10.9 billion AUD). Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the operation as “absolutely brilliant,” noting that 117 first-person view (FPV) drones were deployed in what he described as Ukraine’s “longest-range operation” to date. The strikes targeted air bases in five Russian regions: Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur, with the attack in Irkutsk, over 4,300 kilometers from the front lines, marking Ukraine’s deepest incursion into Russian territory.

How Ukraine Executed the “Spider’s Web” Operation

The operation’s complexity and innovation have drawn global attention. Ukrainian officials revealed that the attack was the culmination of over 18 months of planning, emphasizing that it was conducted “independently” by Ukraine, without prior notification to allies like the United States. Reports described the operation as “extremely complex,” involving the smuggling of FPV drones into Russia via trucks.

According to reports from the Associated Press, the drones were concealed in mobile wooden kit houses with retractable roofs, strategically placed near Russian airfields. At the designated moment, the roofs were remotely opened, allowing the drones to launch and strike their targets with precision. Russian intelligence later confirmed that the drones were assembled in a rented warehouse in Chelyabinsk, Russia, leased for approximately $4,500 per month. The operation’s success relied on advanced technology, with open-source intelligence (OSINT) suggesting that satellite imagery—likely provided by NATO or the U.S.—enabled the pinpoint accuracy required to target Russia’s strategic bombers.

Reports claims that each drone cost around $4,000, a fraction of the billions in damage inflicted on Russian aircraft. The operation’s innovative use of low-cost drones and covert logistics has been hailed as a model for modern warfare, prompting Western military planners to take note.

Where the Attacks Took Place

The drone strikes targeted air bases across a vast swath of Russian territory, from Siberia in the east to Murmansk in the north. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that five regions—Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur—were hit. While attacks in Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur were reportedly repelled, drones launched from close proximity in Murmansk and Irkutsk caused fires that damaged several aircraft. Additionally, OSINT reports confirmed a massive fire at Severomorsk port, a critical Russian naval base hosting 70% of the country’s nuclear-powered submarines, including Yasen, Oscar II, and Sierra II classes.

The Irkutsk strike, over 4,300 kilometers from Ukraine’s front lines, is a proof of the operation’s unprecedented reach. The targeted aircraft, including Tu-95 and Tu-22M bombers, are central to Russia’s long-range missile strikes on Ukraine, making their destruction a significant setback for Moscow’s air campaign.

Russia’s Response

Russia’s Defense Ministry labeled the strikes a “terrorist attack” by Ukrainian drones, confirming that air bases in five regions were targeted. The ministry claimed that fires at the Murmansk and Irkutsk airfields were extinguished without casualties and reported the detention of individuals involved in the attacks. Russian authorities also acknowledged the use of FPV drones launched from nearby areas, highlighting vulnerabilities in their airfield security.

OSINT reports and videos circulating on platforms like X showed Ukrainian drone swarms emerging from trucks and striking Russia’s bomber fleet, corroborating Ukraine’s claims of significant damage. Russia’s response has been relatively muted compared to the scale of the attack, possibly reflecting the embarrassment of such a deep and successful incursion. The Russian intelligence service’s revelation about the Chelyabinsk warehouse suggests an effort to deflect blame by highlighting Ukraine’s covert operations within Russian borders.

Starlink?

The operation’s precision and scale have fueled speculation about external support. OSINT analysts argue that the attack’s accuracy would have been impossible without satellite imagery, likely provided by the U.S. or NATO. The timing of the operation, which began planning under the Biden administration, has also drawn attention, with some suggesting that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s warnings to Russia about escalation may have been linked to prior intelligence sharing. Additionally, the use of 117 drones, each requiring an operator, and Zelenskyy’s claim that the operators escaped Russia, point to the involvement of advanced communication systems, possibly Starlink, in coordinating the assault.

A day before the peace negotiations

The attack comes at a critical juncture as Russia and Ukraine prepare for peace talks in Türkiye. Russian news agencies, citing Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky, reported that Moscow received Ukraine’s draft memorandum for a peace accord. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov is set to lead Kyiv’s delegation to the talks, scheduled for Monday, June 2, 2025, according to a Telegram statement by President Zelenskyy.

The strike’s success strengthens Ukraine’s position at the negotiating table, demonstrating its ability to strike deep into Russian territory and inflict significant losses. However, it also risks escalating tensions, as Russia may retaliate to restore its military credibility. The destruction of 34% of Russia’s air missile carrier fleet, combined with the fire at Severomorsk’s nuclear submarine base, could limit Moscow’s ability to project power, potentially forcing a more conciliatory stance in negotiations.

The “Spider’s Web” operation highlights Ukraine’s growing prowess in asymmetric warfare, leveraging low-cost drones to inflict disproportionate damage on a militarily superior adversary. The attack not only weakens Russia’s air and naval capabilities but also exposes vulnerabilities in its homeland defense, potentially eroding domestic support for the war. For Ukraine, the strike is a morale booster, showcasing its ability to innovate and strike far beyond its borders.

However, the operation raises questions about escalation risks. Russia’s muted response may indicate a desire to avoid further embarrassment, but the loss of strategic assets could prompt retaliatory strikes. The peace talks in Türkiye will be a critical test of whether this bold move pushes both sides toward a resolution or deepens the conflict.

Ukraine’s drone assault on Russian air bases marks a turning point in the Russia-Ukraine war, showcasing Kyiv’s ability to execute complex, long-range operations with devastating impact. The destruction of over 40 strategic bombers and damage to a key naval base have dealt a significant blow to Russia’s military capabilities, while Ukraine’s innovative use of smuggled drones and covert logistics sets a new standard for modern warfare. As both nations head to peace talks, the “Spider’s Web” operation strengthens Ukraine’s hand but also risks escalating an already volatile conflict. The world watches closely as the fallout from this bold attack