ukraine drone russia bombers

On June 1, 2025, Ukraine launched a bold and unprecedented drone offensive deep into Russian territory, dubbed Operation Spiderweb. This meticulously planned operation involved deploying 117 AI-powered drones, which were covertly smuggled into Russia over 18 months and activated remotely from disguised containers near key military airfields. The drones targeted five major Russian airbases: Olenya, Belaya, Dyagilevo, Ivanovo Severny, and Ukrainka, resulting in the destruction or severe damage of over 40 strategic aircraft, including Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers, as well as A-50 early warning planes .(The Washington Post, The Sun, Wikipedia)

This operation significantly impacted Russia's long-range strike capabilities, reportedly crippling about 34% of its strategic bomber fleet . The financial toll is estimated at approximately $7 billion in damages . In retaliation, Russia launched a substantial drone and missile assault on Ukraine, resulting in civilian casualties .(The Times of India, The Sun, The Australian)

Operation Spiderweb underscores a transformative shift in modern warfare, highlighting the effectiveness of low-cost, AI-driven drones in executing deep strikes against high-value targets. This development has prompted discussions on the evolving nature of military strategy and the increasing role of autonomous systems in combat operations .(The Times of India)

For a visual overview of the operation and its impact, you can watch the following news coverage: Ukraine's drone attack destroys Russian bomber fleet | 7NEWS