Ukraine's Daring Drone Strike Sends Shockwaves Deep into Russia
In an extraordinary escalation of its defense campaign, Ukraine has launched its most ambitious long-range drone operation yet, striking deep into Russian territory and dealing a serious blow to Moscow’s strategic air power. Speaking now, I can hardly overstate the scale and audacity of what has just unfolded — this is a moment that will be talked about for months, if not years.
Over the weekend, Ukraine’s Security Service, the SBU, executed what they called the "Spider’s Web" operation. It involved a staggering 117 first-person view (FPV) drones, each remotely piloted, and smuggled into Russia in what can only be described as a masterclass in covert logistics. These drones, hidden in wooden mobile cabins mounted on trucks, were strategically placed near four major Russian military airbases. Then, at the designated time, the roofs of these mobile shelters were remotely opened, and the drones soared into the skies, striking their targets — including the feared Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers, and the A-50 early warning aircraft.
The scale of the damage? An estimated $7 billion. Ukraine claims to have destroyed or severely damaged at least 40 aircraft. That figure includes nearly 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers, which are essential for long-range airstrikes against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
President Volodymyr Zelensky didn’t hold back in his praise, calling the result "absolutely brilliant" and commending the operatives who carried out the year-and-a-half-long operation — not just for the planning, but for successfully exfiltrating from Russian territory before the strike even occurred.
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And what's perhaps even more stunning? According to Zelensky, the entire operational hub was situated right next to a regional office of the Russian FSB — their most powerful intelligence agency. That detail alone sends a chilling message about how deeply Ukraine has managed to infiltrate behind enemy lines.
Naturally, Russia responded by labeling the attacks “terrorist acts,” and confirmed fires at airbases in five different regions: Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur. Russian media even showed footage of drones taking off from trucks, one reportedly near a petrol station. The Russian Ministry of Defence claimed to have repelled some of the attacks and extinguished the fires, but even they admitted multiple aircraft were affected.
On the other side, Ukraine itself faced a barrage of retaliation. Over 470 drones and several missiles were launched by Russia into Ukrainian airspace — one of the heaviest barrages to date. Kyiv reported that at least six civilians were injured in Kharkiv, including a child. Meanwhile, 12 Ukrainian soldiers were killed and over 60 injured in a separate missile strike, prompting the resignation of a senior military commander.
This dramatic uptick in activity came just before Ukrainian and Russian delegations were set to meet in Istanbul for another round of peace talks. Expectations are low, and both sides remain far apart. Still, the timing of Ukraine’s drone offensive sends a clear strategic signal: Kyiv is not coming to the negotiating table from a position of weakness.
This attack, deep into Russian heartland and carried out under Moscow's nose, is a powerful psychological blow. It redefines the battlefield, reminding both Russia and the international community that Ukraine’s capacity to project power and conduct asymmetric warfare is far more sophisticated than previously assumed.
It’s a turning point. One that shows Ukraine is not merely defending — it’s pushing forward with precision, planning, and undeniable resolve.
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