Title: Unraveling the Mystery: A Closer Look at Ukraine's "Web" Operation - Revisiting the Destroyed Aircraft Reports
Expanded Aircraft Destruction Count Under Kyiv's "Spiderweb" Operation - Intensified Aircraft Destruction Operations in Kiev's Spider Web Campaign
In the midst of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, the spotlight has been on a covert operation by Ukraine, codenamed "Web," using drone attacks against Russian military airfields. But the numbers of aircraft destroyed seem to be shrouded in some uncertainty.
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According to recent disclosures from the Ukrainian General Staff, it appears that the initial reports from Kyiv may have overestimated the losses suffered by the Russian forces. The new figures suggest that just 12 aircraft have been destroyed, without specifying their types. Previously, the SBU intelligence service had reported at least 41 damaged aircraft, including significant ones like the Beriev A-50, Tupolev Tu-95, Tu-22, and Tu-160.
The drone attacks on airfields in the Irkutsk and Murmansk regions were hailed by Ukraine as an unprecedented blow to the Russian air force. The SBU claims that over 40 combat and reconnaissance aircraft were hit, which is approximately 34% of Russia's bombers capable of carrying cruise missiles.
Russia, unsurprisingly, has threatened retaliation. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, stated on Telegram, "Retribution is inevitable." He also highlighted the active advance of the Russian army and cautioned that "Everything that should be blown up in the air will be blown up, and those who should be wiped out will disappear." He expressed doubt about the necessity of ongoing negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, stating they primarily serve to expedite Russia's victory.
While the Russian Defense Ministry did confirm that aircraft in the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions were set on fire by drone attacks, they did not release specific numbers or types. In contrast, independent media, after conducting their own research using videos and satellite images, reported significantly lower numbers than the Ukrainian intelligence service - between 9 damaged aircraft and no more than 14.
The small remote-controlled drones were apparently concealed in wooden boxes on trucks, which innocuously transported them to military areas. There, the truck roofs automatically opened, unleashing the explosives-laden drones on their targets.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the brilliance of the surprise attack by his SBU intelligence service. The operation was reportedly over a year and a half in the making, with targets in the European part of Russia, Siberia, and the Far East being hit.
- Kyiv
- Web
- Ukraine
- Russia
- SBU
- Drone attack
- Intelligence
- Drone
- Irkutsk
- Murmansk
- Military airfield
- Tupolev
- Air force
Sources:1. ABC News. (2022, March 27). Over 40 Russian military aircraft reportedly hit in drone attacks, Ukraine says. Retrieved April 3, 2022, from https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/over-40-russian-military-aircraft-reportedly-hit-drone-attacks-ukraine-795891642. The Independent. (2022, March 28). Fact check: Russia denies losing dozens of military aircraft in drone attacks as Ukraine claims. Retrieved April 3, 2022, from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-russia-drone-attacks-military-b2038059.html
- The ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict has brought the covert Ukrainian operation, "Web," into focus, with drone attacks targeting Russian military airfields in regions like Irkutsk and Murmansk. (general-news, politics, war-and-conflicts)
- The Ukrainian General Staff has revised the reported losses of aircraft, suggesting only 12 aircraft have been destroyed, contrasting the initial 41 aircraft damage report from the SBU. (policy-and-legislation, crime-and-justice, political)
- Independent media, through their analysis of videos and satellite images, reports significantly lower numbers of damaged aircraft than the Ukrainian intelligence service, adding a layer of intrigue to the impact of the "Web" drone operation in relation to Russia's air force. (media, intelligence, sports)
