Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) executed a large-scale drone operation, codenamed “Web,” targeting Russian military airfields deep within enemy territory, according to a source within the agency.
The attack reportedly struck 41 Russian heavy bombers, including A-50 early warning aircraft, Tu-95 strategic bombers, and Tu-22M3 supersonic bombers, across four airbases:
Belaya in Irkutsk Oblast, Olenya in Murmansk Oblast, Diaghilevo in Ryazan Oblast, and Ivanovo in Ivanovo Oblast. The operation, planned for over a year and a half, aimed to disrupt Russia’s ability to launch long-range missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.
The SBU employed first-person-view (FPV) drones, smuggled into Russia and concealed within mobile wooden cabins mounted on trucks. At the designated time, the cabin roofs were remotely opened, allowing the drones to launch and strike their targets.
Video evidence provided by the source shows rows of aircraft engulfed in flames at one of the airbases, with preliminary estimates suggesting damages exceeding $2.2 billion to Russia’s strategic aviation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and SBU Chief Vasyl Malyuk personally oversaw the operation.
The source emphasized that the operatives involved had long returned to Ukraine, dismissing potential Russian claims of detentions as staged propaganda.
The Belaya airbase, located over 4,000 kilometers from Ukraine, was among the targets, marking a significant demonstration of Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities.
Regional governors in Irkutsk and Murmansk confirmed drone attacks but provided limited details, while Russian military officials have not issued an official statement.
The A-50 aircraft, critical for detecting air defenses and coordinating Russian fighter jets, are particularly valuable, with Russia possessing fewer than ten, each valued at approximately $350 million.
The Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers, regularly used to launch cruise missiles, are also key components of Russia’s aerial campaign against Ukraine.
The operation follows Ukraine’s March 2025 announcement of a new drone with a 3,000-kilometer range, though specifics about the drone remain undisclosed.
Social media reports and unconfirmed videos suggest FPV drones were launched from trucks parked near the airfields, with one clip purportedly showing a strike at Belaya airbase.
The attack comes amid escalating drone warfare, with Russia launching 472 drones and seven missiles against Ukraine the previous night, one of the largest aerial assaults of the conflict.
Ukraine’s ability to strike deep into Russian territory underscores its growing technological prowess and strategic shift toward disrupting Moscow’s military infrastructure.
