Ukrainian Drone Strike Hits Russian Air Bases

Ukrainian Drone Strike Hits Russian Air Bases

On June 1, 2025, Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack on Russian air bases. Satellite imagery revealed significant damage to strategic bombers.

The operation, named “Spiderweb,” targeted bases deep inside Russia. It marked one of Ukraine’s most audacious strikes in the ongoing war.

Background of the Attack

The attack aimed to weaken Russia’s ability to launch missile strikes on Ukraine. Russian Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers have been used to target Ukrainian cities. Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) planned the operation for 18 months.

Drones were smuggled into Russia and launched from trucks near airfields. The strike hit bases in Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions.

When It Happened

The drone strikes occurred on Sunday, June 1, 2025. Ukrainian forces deployed 117 drones in a coordinated assault. Satellite images from U.S. company Umbra Space and others confirmed the damage.

The attack targeted airfields as far as 4,500 kilometers from Ukraine’s border.

Ukraine’s Claims

Ukraine’s SBU said the attack hit 41 Russian aircraft, including Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and A-50 planes. They claimed 34% of Russia’s strategic bomber fleet was damaged or destroyed.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called it a “history book” operation. The SBU estimated $7 billion in damages to Russia’s air forces. Ukrainian officials said the strikes showed their ability to hit deep inside Russia.

Russia’s Response

Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed drone attacks on five air bases. They admitted several aircraft caught fire in Murmansk and Irkutsk.

The ministry claimed attacks in other regions were repelled. Russian authorities detained some suspects linked to the strikes. Dmitry Medvedev, a top Russian official, vowed revenge. Russian military bloggers criticized the Defense Ministry for failing to protect the bombers.

Impact and Analysis

Satellite imagery showed at least seven bombers destroyed, likely four Tu-22M3s and three Tu-95s. Analysts confirmed damage at Belaya and Olenya air bases.

The strikes may force Russia to rethink air defense strategies. Experts say replacing the damaged planes will be difficult, as some models are no longer produced. The attack could reduce Russia’s capacity for missile strikes on Ukraine.

Operation Spiderweb

The Ukrainian drone strike on June 1, 2025, was a bold move in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Codenamed “Operation Spiderweb,” it showcased Ukraine’s growing drone capabilities.

By targeting strategic bombers, Ukraine aimed to disrupt Russia’s aerial attacks. The operation involved smuggling drones into Russia, hidden in trucks with remotely opened roofs. This allowed precise strikes on airfields thousands of miles from Ukraine.

The Belaya air base in Irkutsk, over 4,000 kilometers from Ukraine, was among the hardest hit. Satellite images from Umbra Space and Capella Space showed destroyed and damaged Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers.

Other bases, like Olenya in Murmansk, also reported losses. Ukrainian officials claimed the attack crippled a significant portion of Russia’s long-range aviation. Zelenskyy praised the operation as a historic blow to Moscow’s war machine.

Russia downplayed the damage

Russia downplayed the damage, with some sources calling Ukrainian claims exaggerated. The Russian Telegram channel Fighterbomber admitted losses but said the number of destroyed planes was in the single digits. Still, the attack embarrassed Russia’s military, exposing vulnerabilities in its air defenses. Car tires used as decoys at bases failed to mislead Ukrainian drones.

The Institute for the Study of War noted Russia may need to redeploy air defenses, stretching its resources.

The timing, just before peace talks in Istanbul on June 2, 2025, added symbolic weight. Ukraine’s strike signaled resolve ahead of negotiations.

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