On June 1, 2024, Ukraine executed a remarkable and ambitious military operation known as "Spider Web," launching over 100 drones at Russian airbases and targeting long-range bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The attack, which was 18 months in preparation, highlighted Ukraine's military ingenuity and strategic prowess, resulting in explosions reported across five Russian regions, from Murmansk in the north to Irkutsk and as far east as Amur.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the strikes but claimed that damage was limited to airbases in Murmansk and Irkutsk. The scale of the drone offensive became apparent as it unfolded across multiple time zones. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who closely oversaw the operation, boasted of the effectiveness of the drone fleet, which he noted took "one year, six months, and nine days" to execute.
According to reports, the drones were ingeniously concealed within wooden cabins atop lorries, and smuggled in by drivers unaware of their true contents. Videos circulating online depicted drones being launched from these concealed vehicles, prompting surprised reactions from drivers attempting to thwart the drones' ascent.
Zelensky highlighted that 117 drones were deployed and claimed significant results, including the incapacitation of 41 strategic bombers. Although Russia has not disclosed the extent of aircraft losses, footage verified by various sources confirmed that multiple bombers were damaged at Olenegorsk and Belaya airbases. The implications of such losses could severely impact Russia’s offensive capabilities, particularly with aircraft like the Tu-95, Tu-22, and Tu-160 bombers, which had only recently executed missile strikes against Ukraine.
Experts noted that Ukraine's ability to penetrate Russian defenses and remotely control drones may have involved sophisticated technology, leveraging satellite or internet connections to overcome jamming efforts. The operation's success has been celebrated widely in Ukraine, with Zelensky alluding to its place in the history of the ongoing conflict.
As the story developed, Russian media refrained from significant coverage, hinting at the operation's strategic surprise and the potential blow to Russian military morale. In a stark contrast, the Ukrainian populace regarded the operation as a landmark achievement in their resistance efforts, seemingly shifting the narrative in the protracted conflict between the two nations.
