UKRAINE'S 'SPIDER'S WEB' OPERATION HITS 41 RUSSIAN AIRCRAFT, TARGETS STRATEGIC BOMBERS

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN DE MODE

Article Published on: 02ND JUNE 2025 | www.demodemagazine.com

Ukraine launched one of its most ambitious drone offensives on Sunday, striking five Russian military airbases and targeting 41 aircraft, including strategic bombers Tu-95, Tu-22, and an A-50 radar aircraft. Named "Spider's Web", the covert operation took over 18 months to plan and involved smuggling 117 drones into Russia in wooden crates. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed it as a "brilliant operation", revealing that the mission’s command center operated near an FSB office.

Ukraine claims the strikes destroyed 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers, causing an estimated $7 billion in damage. Russia confirmed the attacks but called them “terrorist acts” and claimed all were repelled. Analysts suggest the timing is strategic, ahead of peace talks in Istanbul. Following the assault, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s call for a “full and unconditional ceasefire”, blaming Russia for prolonging the war despite international efforts to end hostilities. Independent damage verification is still pending.