Ukraine’s recent drone strike, code-named “Spider’s Web,” has dealt a significant blow to Putin’s forces, targeting Russian strategic air bases and damaging at least 41 warplanes, including Tu-95 bombers. This bold operation showcases Ukraine’s growing capabilities and reach, forcing Russia to reassess its military strategy.
The drone strike, which targeted four Russian airbases deep inside Russian territory, was personally overseen by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vasyl Maliuk, head of Ukraine’s domestic intelligence agency SBU. Ukrainian operatives used an inventive method to bypass distance limitations, concealing explosive-laden drones inside wooden sheds that were transported to the perimeters of targeted airfields.
Key Details of the Operation:
– Targeted Airbases: Four Russian airbases, including Belaya air base in Russia’s Irkutsk region, over 4,300 km from the front lines
– Damaged Aircraft: At least 41 warplanes, including strategic bombers
– Method: Drones were concealed in wooden sheds and transported to airfield perimeters, then remotely activated to release swarms of quadrocopter drones
– Russian Response: Russia acknowledged the strikes, with air defenses successfully repelling drones in most regions, but several aircraft caught fire in Murmansk and Irkutsk regions
The timing of the drone strike is notable, as it came just before peace talks in Istanbul, where Ukraine’s delegation plans to present a comprehensive roadmap for ending the war. Ukraine’s proposal includes a 30-day ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, and a potential direct summit between Zelenskyy and Putin. The success of Ukraine’s operation may pressure Putin to reconsider his stance, potentially paving the way for meaningful negotiations or further escalation.
