Ukraine’s “Spider’s Web” Snags Russian Bombers: $2 Billion Drone Strike Devastates Tu-95 Fleet Deep Inside Russia
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) executed one of the most daring operations of the war, codenamed “Operation Spider’s Web”.
The Attack : Scope and Execution ( Spider’s Web )
Targeting four critical Russian airbases – Belaya (Irkutsk, Siberia), Olenya (Murmansk), Diagilevo (Ryazan), and Ivanovo – Ukrainian drones struck over 40 strategic bomber aircraft, including the nuclear-capable Tu-95 “Bear” and Tu-22M3 bombers, plus A-50 early warning aircraft . Preliminary estimates suggest $2 billion in damages to the Russian Air Force .
How Ukraine Penetrated Russia’s Defenses
The operation showcased unprecedented logistical ingenuity and patience, planned over 18 months under President Zelenskyy’s personal oversight . Here’s how it unfolded:
- Smuggling & Concealment: SBU operatives first smuggled FPV (First-Person View) drones into Russia. Later, they transported flat-pack wooden garden sheds (resembling office cabins) into the country. These structures were assembled, with drones hidden inside their roof cavities, and mounted onto trucks (like KamAZ models) .
- Mobile Launch Pads: The trucks, acting as mobile launch platforms, were driven to locations near the target airbases – thousands of kilometers from Ukraine. For Belaya base in Siberia, this meant operating over 4,300 km (2,670 miles) inside Russian territory .
- Remote Strike: At the designated moment, the shed roofs were opened remotely. Drones then flew out, swarming the airfields and striking parked aircraft. Video evidence verified by multiple outlets shows multiple large bombers engulfed in flames .
Table: Key Russian Aircraft Targeted in “Spider’s Web”
| Aircraft Type | Role | Significance | Primary Base(s) Targeted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tu-95 “Bear” | Strategic Bomber / Cruise Missile Carrier | Key platform for launching long-range missile strikes on Ukrainian cities. Can carry nuclear weapons. | Diagilevo, Olenya |
| Tu-22M3 “Backfire” | Supersonic Long-Range Bomber | Used for deep strikes, including with anti-ship missiles. Significant naval threat. | Belaya (Siberia), Olenya |
| A-50 “Mainstay” | Airborne Early Warning & Control (AWACS) | Critical for Russian airspace awareness, command & control, and target coordination. Huge electronic warfare asset. | Ivanovo |
The Context: Escalation Before Talks
Fury Before Diplomacy: Massive Strikes on Eve of Istanbul Peace Negotiations
The audacious attack came just hours before Russian and Ukrainian delegations were set to meet in Istanbul, Turkey, for a second round of direct peace talks on June 2nd, 2025 . This timing was highly strategic:
- Ukraine’s Show of Strength: Demonstrating the ability to strike deep inside Russia, even at heavily defended strategic bomber bases, boosts Ukrainian morale and leverage ahead of negotiations. It signals to Russia (and allies) that Ukraine retains potent offensive capabilities despite Russian advances on the ground .
- Degrading Russian Capabilities: The targeted Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers are the primary platforms Russia uses to launch long-range cruise missile attacks (like the Kh-101) against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Destroying or significantly damaging over 40 of these aircraft represents a major blow to Russia’s ability to conduct these terror campaigns from relative safety .
- Russian Retaliation & Civilian Toll: In the hours preceding the Ukrainian deep strikes, Russia launched its largest drone assault of the war against Ukraine – 472 drones plus 7 missiles overnight. Ukraine reported neutralizing 385 targets. Tragically, a separate Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian training facility killed 12 soldiers and injured over 60 .
- Infrastructure Sabotage?: Overnight, two bridges collapsed in Russian border regions (Bryansk and Kursk), derailing trains and killing at least 7 civilians. Russian investigators blamed “explosions,” implying Ukrainian sabotage, though Kyiv did not claim responsibility .
The Peace Talks: Divergent Paths
Istanbul Talks Proceed Amidst Mutual Distrust
Despite the dramatic escalation, both sides confirmed their delegations would attend talks in Istanbul at the Çırağan Palace. Ukraine’s team is led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, while Russia sent a delegation whose exact composition wasn’t immediately detailed in the search results .
Ukraine’s Demands: Ceasefire, Prisoners, and Putin Meeting
President Zelenskyy publicly outlined Ukraine’s core positions for the talks:
“The first is a complete and unconditional ceasefire. The second is the release of prisoners. The third is the return of the stolen children. And, in order to establish a reliable and lasting peace, – to prepare a meeting at the highest level… Key issues can only be solved by leaders.”
Documents seen by Reuters detailed further Ukrainian demands presented in Istanbul:
- A 30-day ceasefire as an immediate “background and prerequisite.”
- Exchange of ALL prisoners of war held by both sides.
- No restrictions on Ukraine’s future military strength post-peace.
- No recognition of Russian sovereignty over occupied Ukrainian territories (Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson).
- Reparations from Russia.
- Negotiations on territory based on the current frontline locations.
- Ultimately, a face-to-face meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin .
Russia’s Stance: Ultimatums and Silence
Russia’s position heading into the talks appeared less defined publicly from the search results:
- It had previously demanded international recognition of its claimed annexations – a non-starter for Ukraine .
- Ukraine complained that Russia failed to provide a promised memorandum outlining its terms before the Istanbul meeting, viewing this as a stalling tactic .
- The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the drone attacks as a “terrorist attack” and claimed to have detained some participants (a claim Ukraine dismissed as “for show”) .
- Russian pro-war bloggers and propagandists reacted with fury, with some even calling the bomber strikes “Russia’s Pearl Harbor” and demanding nuclear retaliation .
Implications and Analysis
Shifting Paradigms: Vulnerability Exposed, Leverage Gained?
“Operation Spider’s Web” has significant implications beyond the immediate destruction:
- Deep Strike Vulnerability: The attack proves that even Russia’s most strategic assets, located thousands of kilometers from the front, are vulnerable to Ukrainian ingenuity. Traditional air defenses (like S-400 systems) are ineffective against drones launched from within Russia, very close to their targets . This fundamentally alters Russia’s sense of security.
- Cost-Effective Asymmetry: Using relatively low-cost FPV drones smuggled in parts and assembled covertly to destroy multi-million dollar strategic bombers represents a stark example of asymmetric warfare effectiveness .
- Impact on Russian Strategy: Degrading the Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 fleet hampers Russia’s ability to conduct saturation long-range missile strikes on Ukraine. Losing A-50 AWACS aircraft weakens Russian airspace awareness and command capabilities .
- Leverage for Kyiv: While risking Russian escalation, the operation gives Ukraine a powerful psychological and military boost heading into negotiations. It demonstrates resolve and capability, potentially strengthening its hand in demanding terms like a ceasefire .
- Diplomatic Calculus: The strikes underscore the fragility of the diplomatic process. While both sides attend talks, the mutual deep strikes highlight the vast trust deficit and the potential for actions on the battlefield to derail diplomacy instantly. US pressure (under President Trump) for a deal remains a factor for both sides .
Conclusion: A Tangled Web of War and Diplomacy
Ukraine’s “Spider’s Web” operation marks a tactical masterpiece with profound strategic consequences. The audacious destruction of over 40 Russian bombers, including the iconic Tu-95, deep inside Russia is a staggering blow to Moscow’s military pride and its long-range strike capabilities. It showcases Ukraine’s evolving ability to project power asymmetrically far beyond its borders.
This escalation occurs amidst a backdrop of relentless Russian attacks on Ukraine and fragile diplomatic efforts. While the Istanbul talks proceed, the chasm between Ukrainian demands – centered on an unconditional ceasefire, prisoner return, and ultimately a Putin-Zelenskyy summit – and Russia’s historical intransigence and recent fury over the drone strikes, remains immense.
The burning hulks of Russia’s strategic bombers serve as a stark reminder that even as diplomats talk, the Ukraine war ( Spider’s Web ) continues to rage and evolve in unpredictable and devastating ways. The vulnerability exposed by “Spider’s Web” ensures that deep strikes will remain a terrifying feature of this conflict, regardless of the outcome in Istanbul. The path to peace remains shrouded in smoke – both from the wreckage in Siberia and the political fires burning in Moscow and Kyiv.
Sources:
[1] Sky News: Special Ukrainian operation targets bombers
[2] The Guardian: Ukraine launches major drone attack
[3] ABC News: Ukraine sets demands ahead of talks
[4] BBC: Ukraine says 40+ Russian warplanes hit
[5] Reuters: Drones hidden in wooden sheds
[6] The Hindu: Zelenskyy confirms Istanbul delegation
[7] France 24: Ukraine destroys Russian bombers
[8] Washington Post: Far-reaching drone strikes
[9] Sky News Live Blog: War Latest
[10] BBC Live: Ukraine drones emerged from trucks