Ukraine’s Deep-Strike Drone Offensive Hits Russian Airbases, Over 40 Military Aircraft Destroyed

Kyiv/Moscow, June 1, 2025 — In an unprecedented escalation of the war, Ukraine launched a far-reaching drone attack codenamed “Operation Spider Web”, striking multiple high-security Russian military airbases on Sunday and reportedly destroying or severely damaging more than 40 military aircraft, including nuclear-capable bombers and early-warning jets.

The operation, executed by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), is considered one of Kyiv’s most daring and strategically significant offensives to date, showcasing the evolving capability of Ukrainian forces to carry out deep-penetration strikes inside Russian territory.

Long-Range Precision

According to intelligence sources cited by international media, the operation involved months of planning and was executed using first-person-view (FPV) drones that had been covertly smuggled into Russia and concealed in trucks fitted with retractable roofs. These mobile drone-launch units allowed Ukrainian operators to launch precision-guided attacks on Russian airbases from within the country’s borders.

The targeted facilities included key strategic airfields such as:

Belaya in Irkutsk Oblast (Siberia),

Olenya in Murmansk Oblast,

Ivanovo Severny,

Dyagilevo in Ryazan Oblast, and

Voskresensk, located near Moscow.


Each of these bases is crucial to Russia’s long-range bomber operations and early-warning defense networks.

Scale of Damage

Ukrainian officials, speaking anonymously to media, claimed that at least 41 aircraft were confirmed destroyed, including:

Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 nuclear-capable strategic bombers,

The A-50 airborne early-warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.


The financial and strategic blow to Russia is estimated at over $2 billion in losses. If confirmed, this would be the most successful and expensive airbase strike suffered by Russia since the conflict began.

Russian Acknowledgement

Although Moscow has not confirmed the full extent of the damage, regional governors in Irkutsk and Murmansk Oblasts publicly acknowledged drone strikes. In Siberia, Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev confirmed that a drone had impacted near the Belaya Airbase, marking the first Ukrainian strike that deep into Russian territory.

In Murmansk, Governor Andrey Chibis acknowledged attacks in the region and urged citizens to remain calm, noting that emergency services were actively responding.

Strategic Consequences

The attack has not only exposed glaring vulnerabilities in Russia’s air defense network but also reflects Ukraine’s maturing drone warfare capabilities. The timing is notable, occurring just days before proposed peace talks in Istanbul, possibly strengthening Kyiv’s negotiating position.

Moreover, the successful strike comes at a time when Ukraine is under growing international pressure to justify continued military aid. This display of offensive strength may reassure backers about Ukraine’s ability to turn the tide of the war.

Analysts have compared the attack to a “Pearl Harbor moment” in terms of its psychological and tactical shock value for Russia. Security experts suggest that this could push Moscow to reallocate its already stretched air defense resources, potentially easing Ukrainian pressure points along the active front lines.

As of now, no official Russian casualty figures have been released, and Moscow has promised a “decisive response”, although specifics remain unclear.