Unmasking "Spider Web": New Disclosures on Downed Russian Aircraft
Kyiv's recently disclosed operation code, 'Web of Spider', reveals an increased number of downed aircraft. - Increased Aircraft Destruction Campaign in Kiev, Revealing Rising Count
Take a gander at the latest numbers shaking up Ukraine's clandestine operation, code-named "Spider Web." Using drone assaults on deep-seated Russian military airports, Ukraine's covert actions could have resulted in fewer plane losses than previously reported. The Ukrainian general staff's newest figures suggest that Russia has lost about 12 aircraft— without specifying the types. Initially, the Ukrainian intelligence agency had reported at least 41 aircraft damaged, including the Beriev A-50 early warning aircraft, Tupolev Tu-95, Tu-22, and Tu-160.
Ukraine heralded the drone strikes on airports in Irkutsk and Murmansk as an unprecedented blow to Russia's air force. According to the intel agency, over 40 combat and reconnaissance aircraft were compromised—around 34% of Russia's bombers equipped to launch missiles.
Russia responds threateningly
Russia has warned of a fierce response. "Revenge is imminent," Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, wrote on Telegram. He also highlighted the swift advance of the Russian military. "Whatever needs to be destroyed in the air will be destroyed, and anyone who needs to be erased will fade," the ex-Russian president continued, stating that talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul weren't necessary for attaining a peaceful compromise but rather to hasten Russia's victory.
Russian Defense Ministry confirmed fires at airports in the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions due to drone attacks, yet no exact numbers or types of aircraft affected were disclosed. Independent media, after scrutinizing videos and satellite images, reported significantly lower figures than the Ukrainian intel agency—between 9 damaged aircraft and no more than 14.
The tiny remote-controlled aircraft were concealed in wooden crates on trucks that unknowingly transported them to military zones. Upon arrival, the truck roofs reportedly opened automatically, and the drones swarmed for their assault.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lauded this bold surprise attack by his intelligence service SBU as "a stunning success." He claimed that preparations spanned a year and a half, targeting bases in the European part of Russia in Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Murmansk, as well as Irkutsk in Siberia and Amur in the Far East.
- Spider Web
- Downed aircraft
- Ukraine
- Russia
- SBU
- Drone attack
- Intelligence service
- Drone
- Irkutsk
- Murmansk
- Military airport
- Tupolev
- Air force
Insight
According to recent reports, Ukraine's secret operation, referred to as "Spider Web," has resulted in the destruction of 7 Tu-95MS bombers and 2 Tu-22M3 bombers, which accounts for more than 10% of the Tu-95MS fleet[2]. Contrarily, the Ukrainian Security Service mentioned the operation destroyed 41 Russian aircraft, with half of them being render beyond repair[1]. The veracity of these figures remains questionable, as discrepancies may call for further clarification.
- Total aircraft reported by Ukrainian Security Service: 41 aircraft, with half beyond repair[1].
- Specific bombers destroyed: 7 Tu-95MS and 2 Tu-22M3 bombers[2].
- The Insight reveals a discrepancy in the number of Russian aircraft reportedly destroyed by Ukraine's clandestine operation, "Spider Web." According to the Ukrainian Security Service, 41 aircraft were destroyed, with half of them beyond repair. However, recent reports suggest that only 7 Tu-95MS and 2 Tu-22M3 bombers were actually destroyed, making up more than 10% of the Tu-95MS fleet.
- The "Spider Web" operation, masterminded by Ukraine's intelligence service SBU, has been responsible for causing significant damage to Russian aircraft at military airports in Irkutsk and Murmansk, as well as other strategic locations such as Ivanovo, Ryazan, Amur, and Sibira.
- Despite Russia's warning of a fierce response, it has yet to disclose the exact number and types of aircraft affected by the drone attacks on their military airports. Independent media reports suggest that the actual number of downed aircraft could be significantly lower than the figures reported by the Ukrainian Security Service.
