Ukraine’s intelligence service, SBU, carried out a massive drone strike on Sunday, hitting Russian strategic bombers and early warning aircraft at four airbases.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the operation, codenamed “Spider-Web,” had been planned for 18 months.
Footage posted online showed quadcopters crashing into aircraft. “34 percent of strategic cruise missile carriers at the main airfields of the Russian Federation were hit,” Ukrainian officials claimed.
Among the aircraft reportedly struck were TU-95 and TU-22M bombers, and A-50 early warning planes — vital to Russia’s nuclear deterrent and air force operations.
The scale of destruction, including the possible loss of up to 40 planes, marks a severe blow to Russia’s military prestige.
While the Kremlin has downplayed the incident, videos circulating on social media show extensive damage. The White House denied prior knowledge but urged Russia to de-escalate.
With no easy way to defend its distant airbases, Moscow faces a growing threat from Ukraine’s long-range drone capabilities.