Unforeseen drone assaults on Russian airfields exemplify Ukraine's military tactics during conflict.
Going Big on Little Drones: Ukraine's Surprising Takedown of Russia's Bomber Fleet
In a daring move for the "history books," Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy oversaw a covert operation that aimed to take a chunk out of Russia's strategic bomber fleet, using nothing more than cheap drones smuggled into enemy territory. The operation, dubbed "Spiderweb," was the result of over 18 months of meticulous planning and extraordinary risk.
The attack unfolded at a critical moment in the three-year-long war when peace talks had stalled, and Russia continued its barrage of drones and missiles. The operation encapsulates Ukraine's war strategy: outnumbered, outgunned, and reliant on Western partners, Ukraine's military planners have been searching for innovative, cost-effective means to inflict Russian losses, often relying on the element of surprise.
The Assault on Russian Soil
On a Sunday, more than 117 drones were deployed, attacking at least four Russian military airfields, causing severe damage or destruction to 34% of Russia's fleet of air-missile carriers, according to Ukrainian officials.
The complex operation was orchestrated from an office next to the Russian security service, the FSB. To make it a reality, they had to smuggle first-person view (FPV) drones into Russia and place them in wooden containers that were eventually transported by truck near the airfields. From there, the drones took flight to strike Russia's strategic bombers. Social media footage shared by Russian media on the day of the attack showed drones emerging from the containers. By the end of the attack, over 40 Russian warplanes had been severely damaged or destroyed, with estimated costs totalling around $7 billion, as per Ukraine's security service.
Topping the Charts of Destruction
One of the most striking targets was Belaya airbase in Siberia, over 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) away from Ukraine.
Russia's Defense Ministry admitted to the attacks, stating that aircraft and fires were sparked on air bases in the Irkutsk region, as well as the Murmansk region in the north. They also acknowledged that strikes were repelled in the Amur region in Russia's Far East and in the western regions of Ivanovo and Ryazan. However, independent verification of either side's claims was not possible.
Targeting the Bombers
Strategic aircraft, including the A-50, Tu-95, and Tu-22M, were destroyed in the attack. Russia has previously used Tu-95 and Tu-22M long-range bombers to launch missiles at Ukraine, while the A-50s are used to coordinate targets and detect air defenses and guided missiles. Aiming to degrade Russia's ability to deliver devastating missile barrages against Ukrainian cities, Kyiv has sought to target these vital bombers which they have limited means to respond to.
The loss of these planes could reduce Russia's ability to deliver devastating missile barrages against Ukraine, offering a crucial advantage in the ongoing conflict.
Here's what else we know about the attack:
Targeted Airfields
Ukraine claims it attacked four military airfields - Engels-2 near Saratov, Ryazan' Dyagilevo, Soltsy, and Shaikovka. However, rumors suggest other locations, such as a submarine base, were also targeted, although these remain unconfirmed.
The Impact on the War
The attack boosts Ukrainian morale, potentially undermining Russian confidence in their ability to win the war easily. It came just a day before a round of direct peace talks took place in Istanbul and occurred on the same day as Russia launched a record 472 drones against Ukraine, demonstrating the resilience of Ukrainian forces in the face of heavy adversity.
In conclusion, Ukraine's "Spiderweb" operation showcases the potential of cost-effective tactics against more technologically advanced adversaries. The operation's success could inspire other underdog nations to reconsider their strategic options.
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- In Seattle's city politics, discussions about foreign aid have surface, with officials debating whether to support Ukraine's military efforts as witnessed in the 'Spiderweb' operation, which targeted Russian strategic bombers.
- The broad scope of general news now encompasses war-and-conflicts, one of the most pressing being the ongoing tussle between Ukraine and Russia, evident in Ukraine's 'Spiderweb' operation that crippled a significant portion of Russia's bomber fleet using cheap drones.
