Bombers and support aircraft are shown here in this recent Maxar satellite image of an airbase in Olenya, Russia. Image Credit: Maxar Technologies and Getty Images
My favorite writer, Hunter S. Thompson, used to say, “When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.” Today, he would be giving a big thumbs up to the “weird” and innovative unconventional warfare activities the Ukrainian military recently unleashed against that bully to their north, named Russia. Ukraine, in a word, has definitely “gone pro”.
The Unthinkable Becomes Reality
Operation Spiderweb wasn’t slapped together overnight. According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, this thing was in the works for 18 months and 9 days—a planning window more typical of NASA than a war-torn country repelling a nuclear power. Zelensky didn’t just sign off on it; he oversaw it personally. Right alongside him was Vasyl Maliuk, the head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), who orchestrated the finer details of this daring mission with the kind of precision you usually see in heist movies.
The scale and ambition here were off the charts. Intelligence gathering had to be razor-sharp. Smuggling more than a hundred explosive-laden drones thousands of miles across hostile territory into the Russian interior—Siberia included—is no small feat. The drones were concealed in wooden sheds bolted to the backs of trucks. These weren’t just boxes with wings hiding in a parking lot. The containers had roofs that could be popped open by remote control, allowing operators to launch the drones on command, right from under Russia’s nose.
Location of the attacks. Image Credit: The Guardian
The level of operational security was almost surreal. Some planning reportedly took place in an office located just a stone’s throw from a Russian FSB (Federal Security Service) headquarters. That’s a gutsy, finger-in-your-face flex of epic proportions. But they did more than plan, they thought about the aftermath. Every Ukrainian operative involved inside Russia was pulled out before the attack began. No one was left behind to be used as a pawn or propaganda trophy.
And here’s the kicker: each of the 117 drones had its own dedicated operator, sitting safely back in Ukraine. Once launched, the drones were remotely piloted to their targets like homing pigeons with vendettas. This wasn’t some chaotic swarm. It was a synchronized, deliberate strike—one of the most audacious operations we’ve seen in modern warfare. Smart, sneaky, and surgical.
The operation targeted five Russian airbases—Belaya, Dyagilevo, Ivanovo Severny, Olenya, and Ukrainka—resulting in the destruction or severe damage of 41 military aircraft, including strategic bombers like the Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and the A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft.
Operation Spiderweb’s success underscoresUkraine’sgrowing proficiency in asymmetrical warfare and its ability to adapt and innovate under pressure.
My favorite writer, Hunter S. Thompson, used to say, “When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.” Today, he would be giving a big thumbs up to the “weird” and innovative unconventional warfare activities the Ukrainian military recently unleashed against that bully to their north, named Russia. Ukraine, in a word, has definitely “gone pro”.
The Unthinkable Becomes Reality
Operation Spiderweb wasn’t slapped together overnight. According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, this thing was in the works for 18 months and 9 days—a planning window more typical of NASA than a war-torn country repelling a nuclear power. Zelensky didn’t just sign off on it; he oversaw it personally. Right alongside him was Vasyl Maliuk, the head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), who orchestrated the finer details of this daring mission with the kind of precision you usually see in heist movies.
The scale and ambition here were off the charts. Intelligence gathering had to be razor-sharp. Smuggling more than a hundred explosive-laden drones thousands of miles across hostile territory into the Russian interior—Siberia included—is no small feat. The drones were concealed in wooden sheds bolted to the backs of trucks. These weren’t just boxes with wings hiding in a parking lot. The containers had roofs that could be popped open by remote control, allowing operators to launch the drones on command, right from under Russia’s nose.
Location of the attacks. Image Credit: The Guardian
The level of operational security was almost surreal. Some planning reportedly took place in an office located just a stone’s throw from a Russian FSB (Federal Security Service) headquarters. That’s a gutsy, finger-in-your-face flex of epic proportions. But they did more than plan, they thought about the aftermath. Every Ukrainian operative involved inside Russia was pulled out before the attack began. No one was left behind to be used as a pawn or propaganda trophy.
And here’s the kicker: each of the 117 drones had its own dedicated operator, sitting safely back in Ukraine. Once launched, the drones were remotely piloted to their targets like homing pigeons with vendettas. This wasn’t some chaotic swarm. It was a synchronized, deliberate strike—one of the most audacious operations we’ve seen in modern warfare. Smart, sneaky, and surgical.
The operation targeted five Russian airbases—Belaya, Dyagilevo, Ivanovo Severny, Olenya, and Ukrainka—resulting in the destruction or severe damage of 41 military aircraft, including strategic bombers like the Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and the A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft.
Operation Spiderweb’s success underscoresUkraine’sgrowing proficiency in asymmetrical warfare and its ability to adapt and innovate under pressure.
Seven facts about Operation “Spiderweb” — a Ukrainian strike that will go down in history as one of the most successful special operations ever conducted.
1. Ukrainian special forces spent 1.5 years preparing and planning the attack.
The plan was more than flashy—it landed a serious punch square in the gut of Russia’s long-range air power. By hitting the five major air bases noted above, Ukraine didn’t go for soft targets. These are the airfields Russia relies on to launch strategic bombers and cruise missile strikes deep into Ukrainian territory. In one fell swoop, Ukraine forced the Kremlin to look in the mirror and realize even its high-value air assets aren’t safe, no matter how far they’re tucked inside Russian borders.
The damage was no joke. Ukraine claims they knocked out around 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carrier fleet. That’s not a dent—it’s a crumple zone collapse. With losses estimated at around $7 billion, this strike bruised Russia’s ego and scorched its checkbook.
But it goes beyond the wreckage. These strikes scrambled Russia’s air command. Emergency protocols were activated at other air bases, and Moscow had to scramble to rethink how it defends its own turf. It exposed a vulnerability Russia probably never imagined it would have to account for—being hit from within. Now they know: Ukraine has reach, and they’re not afraid to use it. For the air war, this was a pivotal moment. Russia’s ability to project power from the skies just got clipped, and it’s going to take a long time—and a mountain of rubles—to grow those wings back.
The attacks reached as far as the Belaya airbase in Irkutsk Oblast, over 2,500 miles from Ukraine, marking the deepest Ukrainian strike into Russian territory to date. This unprecedented reach challenges the perception of Russia’s territorial invulnerability and signals a shift in the dynamics of the conflict.
The drones and containers used to transport them deep inside Russia. Image Credit: Ukrainian Security Service
A New Era of Warfare: Drones and Asymmetry
Operation Spiderweb exemplifies the evolving nature of modern warfare, where traditional power dynamics are disrupted by technological innovation and unconventional tactics. Ukraine’s use of relatively low-cost drones to inflict significant damage on a superior military force highlights the potential of asymmetrical strategies in contemporary conflicts.
This operation also reflects a psychological dimension, aiming to undermine Russian morale and project Ukrainian resilience and ingenuity. The successful execution of such a complex operation sends a clear message: Ukraine is capable of striking at the heart of Russian military power, regardless of distance.
Today, Ukrainian intelligence reportedly launched 117 attack drones from trucks that had been placed near Russian air bases. I tasked several collects this morning via @umbraspace and my first images have already started processing. What a remarkable success in a well-executed… pic.twitter.com/LzXulw8jnK
While the operation represents a tactical victory for Ukraine, it also raises questions about the future trajectory of the conflict. Russia’s response to this bold incursion remains to be seen, and the potential for escalation cannot be ignored. Furthermore, the operation’s timing—on the cusp of peace talks in Istanbul—adds a layer of complexity (to put it mildly) to diplomatic efforts.
Operation Spiderweb is a bold display of Ukraine’s grit, ingenuity, and refusal to be boxed in by conventional limits. It’s a dramatic example of how drone warfare is rewriting the rules of modern conflict, proving that creativity and precision can go toe-to-toe with brute force.
This operation did more than push the envelope—it tore it wide open and dropped it on Russia’s doorstep.
Now the world waits with bated breath to see what chess piece Putin picks up to make his next move.
As someone who’s seen what happens when the truth is distorted, I know how unfair it feels when those who’ve sacrificed the most lose their voice. At SOFREP, our veteran journalists, who once fought for freedom, now fight to bring you unfiltered, real-world intel. But without your support, we risk losing this vital source of truth. By subscribing, you’re not just leveling the playing field—you’re standing with those who’ve already given so much, ensuring they continue to serve by delivering stories that matter. Every subscription means we can hire more veterans and keep their hard-earned knowledge in the fight. Don’t let their voices be silenced. Please consider subscribing now.
One team, one fight,
Brandon Webb former Navy SEAL, Bestselling Author and Editor-in-Chief
Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military, and more than 75 State Department-approved countries around the world.
PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States
Scrubba Wash Bag
Our ultra-portable washing machine makes your journey easier. This convenient, pocket-sized travel companion allows you to travel lighter while helping you save money, time and water.
Our roots in shooting sports started off back in 1996 with our founder and CEO, Josh Ungier. His love of airguns took hold of our company from day one and we became the first e-commerce retailer dedicated to airguns, optics, ammo, and accessories. Over the next 25 years, customers turned to us for our unmatched product selection, great advice, education, and continued support of the sport and airgun industry.
COMMENTS
There are
You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.