41 aircraft hit, $7 billion in damages, 117 drones used
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) carried out a major drone strike on June 1, targeting four Russian airfields and hitting 41 military aircraft, including strategic bombers. According to a source speaking to the Kyiv Independent, the covert operation, codenamed “Spider Web,” used FPV drones smuggled into Russia and hidden inside wooden cabins mounted on trucks.
“At the right moment, the roofs of the cabins were opened remotely, and the drones flew to hit Russian bombers,” the source said.
The airfields struck include Belaya in Irkutsk Oblast, Olenya in Murmansk, Diaghilev in Ryazan, and Ivanovo airbase. Aircraft hit included the A-50, Tu-95, and Tu-22 M3. The SBU claims the attack disabled 34% of Russia’s cruise missile carriers, inflicting $7 billion in damages.
“This can now be stated publicly… our operation on Russian territory was located directly next to FSB headquarters,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
SBU Chief Vasyl Maliuk confirmed the strikes, promising further retaliation against Russian missile attacks.
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