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Ukraine’s Major Drone Strike on Russian Military Bases
Ukraine executed its most significant long-range drone attack against Russia on Sunday, targeting four military airbases and reportedly damaging 40 Russian warplanes. The operation, code named “Spider’s Web,” involved 117 drones and was orchestrated by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU). President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed the strikes hit 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers, dealing an estimated $7 billion in damage.
Key Details of the Attack
- Targeted Airbases:
- Belaya (Irkutsk Oblast, Siberia)
- Olenya (Murmansk Oblast, far northwest Russia)
- Dyagilevo (Ryazan Oblast, central Russia)
- Ivanovo (Ivanovo Oblast, central Russia)
- Aircraft Hit:
- Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 (nuclear-capable strategic bombers)
- A-50 early warning planes (critical for Russian air operations)
How Ukraine Conducted the Attack
According to SBU sources, Ukraine smuggled FPV drones into Russia hidden inside wooden mobile cabins mounted on trucks. These cabins had remotely operated roofs, allowing drones to launch at the right moment. The operation took 18 months to plan and involved Ukrainian operatives inside Russia.
Zelensky revealed that the operation’s command center was located near an FSB office (Russia’s security agency) in one of its regions. All operatives were safely extracted before the strikes.
Russia’s Response to the Drone Strikes
Russia confirmed attacks on five regions but claimed most drones were intercepted. However, it admitted that:
- Several aircraft caught fire in Murmansk and Irkutsk.
- No casualties were reported.
- Some attack participants were detained.
Russian media reported drones emerging from trucks near airbases, including a Kamaz truck near a gas station in Irkutsk.
Escalating Drone Warfare as Peace Talks Resume
The attack comes as Russian and Ukrainian negotiators prepare for peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey, on Monday. Expectations remain low due to major disagreements on ending the war.
Meanwhile, Russia launched a massive drone and missile barrage on Ukraine over the weekend:
- 472 drones and 7 missiles were fired at Ukraine.
- Ukraine claims it downed 385 aerial targets.
- Kharkiv was hit early Monday, injuring six people, including a child.
In a separate incident, 12 Ukrainian soldiers were killed and 60+ injured in a Russian missile strike on a training center. Ukraine’s Land Forces Commander, Maj Gen Mykhailo Drapatyi, resigned, citing “personal responsibility for the tragedy.”
Key Takeaways
- Ukraine’s Largest Drone Attack: A strategic blow to Russia’s long-range aviation capabilities.
- Innovative Tactics: Smuggled drones inside trucks highlight Ukraine’s asymmetric warfare success.
- Russia’s Counterattacks: Heavy drone and missile strikes on Ukraine continue.
- Peace Talks Outlook: Little progress expected as both sides remain far apart.
Stay updated on the latest Ukraine-Russia war developments.
