Ukraine launches massive drone attack on Russian strategic bombers Moscow responds

On June 1, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) carried out a large-scale operation codenamed “Spiderweb”, which, according to the Ukrainian side, aimed to disable Russian aviation assets, RBC-Ukraine reports, citing its own sources.

According to the outlet, the operation was personally coordinated by SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk. The attacks reportedly targeted four Russian military airbases simultaneously: Belaya, Dyagilevo, Olenya, and Ivanovo. These bases are believed to host strategic bombers, including the Tu-22M3 and Tu-95MS. Ukrainian media claim that fires were recorded at the sites and over 40 aircraft were damaged.

In response, the Russian Ministry of Defence issued a statement calling Ukraine’s actions a “terrorist attack” carried out using FPV drones. According to the ministry, the attacks targeted airbases in Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions.

"At the military airfields in the Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions, all terrorist attacks were repelled. In the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions, FPV drones launched from areas in close proximity to the airfields caused fires involving several aircraft. The fires have been extinguished. There were no casualties among military personnel or civilian staff. Several participants in the terrorist attacks have been detained," the official statement from the Russian Defence Ministry reads.

By Vugar Khalilov