Daring Drones Strike: The "Operation Spider's Web" Takes Down Russian Bombers
- Contributing Writer: Moritz Dickentmann
- Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes
Undercover investigation operation, codenamed Spiderweb, uncovers illicit activities and associations - "Drone Assault Dubbed 'Operation Spidernet'" - Exploring the Details of the Aerial Aggression
In a nail-biting intelligence coup for Ukraine, a series of drone attacks aimed at strategic Russian bomber bases have sent shockwaves across the warfront. "Operation Spider's Web," as the mission is known, has likely crippled Russia's bomber fleet's ability to rain missiles on Ukraine.
The attack, shared by the SBU intelligence agency on Telegram, took the Russian military by surprise with its scope and precision. Here's a rundown of what we know so far about this historic operation.
Which Military Airbases Fell Victim to the Drones?
According to joint reports from both Ukraine and Russia, four airbases were hit: Dyagilevo, Olenya, Ivanovo Severny, Belaya in Irkutsk, and there was an attack that failed on the airbase in Ukrainka. These bases host long-range bombers, which Russia deploys for missile strikes against Ukraine.
The Aftermath: What Damage Was Done?
While the numbers vary, the SBU claims that 41 aircraft - including A-50, Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 models - were destroyed or severely damaged by drones. The estimated damage is over seven billion dollars, reducing Russia's strategic bomber fleet by 34%. These figures are yet to be independently verified.
Satellite images showing the devastation at Belaya airbase seem to confirm that Russia has lost at least ten bombers. There are verified videos indicating that several planes were destroyed or severely damaged at Olenya airbase. No satellite images for Olenya were immediately available.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation, reported that as many as 13 aircraft were destroyed, with many others damaged.
Russia, for its part, has acknowledged that "several aircraft" were set alight at Belaya and Olenya airbases, but it has remained tight-lipped on specific details about the extent of the damages. They did, however, claim to have repelled all other attacks.
The Russian military blogger collective Rybar reported the destruction of several Tu-95 planes, citing videos as evidence. According to them, "This is, without exaggeration, very serious damage."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that a total of "117 drones and a corresponding number of drone pilots" were deployed in the operation.
SBU Chief Vasyl Malyuk revealed that the attack was launched simultaneously across three time zones, making it logistically extremely complex. Russia did not provide details about the timeline of the attacks.
The Planning Behind the Operation
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Planning for Operation Spider's Web began roughly 1.5 years ago and was personally overseen by President Zelensky. The SBU confirmed that the drones were initially smuggled into Russia and hidden in wood shack rooftops. In a rather intriguing revelation, Zelensky noted that the operational command center was located close to the FSB headquarters, highlighting the operation's covert nature.
Photos have surfaced online that appear to show the storage warehouse in Chelyabinsk, where the drones were put together and later transported to their deployment sites in trucks. The Russian exile media outlet "Meduza" reported that the police searched the warehouse on Sunday, and traces of hexogen explosive were allegedly found there.
The SBU confirmed that all employees involved in this special operation returned to Ukraine prior to the attack.
- Operation Spider's Web
- Drone Strike
- Russia
- Military Airbases
Enrichment Data:
Planning and Preparation
- Sneaky Smuggling: To fly under the radar, Ukraine secretly smuggled over 100 drones into Russia, cleverly hiding them in small parts and obscure locations to avoid detection.
- Covert Operations: The careful planning ensured that the operation had been underway for almost a year and a half, reflecting a high level of secrecy and teamwork within the Ukrainian intelligence community.
Execution
- Multiple Fronts: The attack targeted four key Russian military airbases across three time zones, showcasing the operation's multifaceted and wide-reaching capabilities.
- Deception and Precision: By hiding the drones in cargo trucks, the attackers were able to maneuver deep within enemy territory undetected and carry out pinpoint precision strikes.
Results
- Russian Response: The Russian Defense Ministry has publicly acknowledged the attack but has thus far downplayed the scale of the damages.
- Strategic Impact: By crippling a significant portion of Russia's strategic bomber fleet, the mission has effectively diminished Russia's ability to launch devastating missile strikes against Ukraine.
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive regarding the drone strike operation named "Operation Spider's Web," as political and general news outlets discuss the potential implications of this unprecedented covert operation in the context of ongoing war-and-conflicts. The success of this mission highlights the importance of cooperation between intelligence agencies and governments in shaping global politics.
