Uncovering the Truth Behind Ukraine's "Spiderweb" Operation: Revised Aircraft Destruction Figures
Kyiv's 'Web' Operation: Updated Count of Downed Aircrafts - Expansion of Kiev's Aerial Destruction Operation: Increased Count of Aircraft Wreckage
Let's dive into the updated numbers of aircraft destroyed in Ukraine's covert operation, nicknamed "Spiderweb," that involved drone attacks on Russian military airports. While the initial reports from Kyiv suggested a significant number of Russian aircraft losses, fresh stats from the Ukrainian General Staff paint a somewhat different picture. Apparently, they claim that the Russian forces have lost around 12 aircraft, without specifying their types[1].
Originally, the SBU intelligence service had revealed that at least 41 aircraft were damaged, including typically formidable aircraft such as the Beriev A-50, Tupolev Tu-95, Tu-22, and Tu-160[1]. This daring strike on airports in the Irkutsk and Murmansk regions was hailed by Ukraine as an unprecedented blow to the Russian air force[1]. By their calculations, more than 40 combat and reconnaissance aircraft were hit, accounting for around 34% of the Russian bombers armed with cruise missiles[1].
However, the response from Russia was, predictably, harsh. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, threatened retaliation on Telegram, stating that "Everything that should be blown up in the air will be blown up, and those who should be wiped out will disappear"[1]. He maintained that negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul weren't essential for reaching a peaceful settlement but rather served to hasten the Russian victory[1].
Interestingly, independent media, using videos and satellite imagery, reported far lower figures than the Ukrainian intelligence service, ranging between 9 damaged aircraft and no more than 14[1]. These small, remotely controlled aircraft were said to be cleverly concealed in wooden boxes on trucks, which inadvertently transported them to military areas[1]. Upon reaching their destinations, the truck roofs allegedly opened automatically, unleashing the explosives-laden drones on their targets.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the Intelligence Service SBU's surprise attack as a "completely brilliant success"[1]. According to him, 1.5 years of preparation went into planning this operation, with targets including support points in various regions such as Ivanovo, Ryazan, Murmansk in Europe, Irkutsk in Siberia, and Amur in the Far East[1].
- Kyiv
- Spiderweb
- Ukraine
- Russia
- SBU
- Drone attack
- Intelligence service
- Drone
- Irkutsk
- Murmansk
- Military airport
- Tupolev
- Air force
Enrichment Data:While Western intelligence sources suggest that the "Spiderweb" operation resulted in the destruction of around 40 Russian aircraft, with at least 10-13 aircraft being fully destroyed[2], these figures are yet to be confirmed directly by the Ukrainian General Staff. The exact number of aircraft destroyed remains uncertain, and independent verification is still limited. According to some Western officials, half of the aircraft hit in the drone attacks were beyond repair[2].
The Council Directive 90/220/EEC of 20 December 1990 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the permissible sound power level of motor vehicles, highlights the European Union's attention towards reducing noise pollution from vehicles, a topic often seen in political discussions and general news. Interestingly, Ukraine's "Spiderweb" operation, a series of drone attacks on Russian military airports, mirrors the stealth and precision in its approach, similar to the use of remotely controlled vehicles as described in the directive.
