Operation Spider's Web

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Operation Spider's Web (Ukrainian: Операція «Павутина», romanized: Operatsija "Pavutyna") was a drone attack conducted by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) deep inside Russia on 1 June 2025 during the Russo-Ukrainian War. The coordinated strikes targeted Russian Air Force's Long-Range Aviation assets at five air bases—Belaya, Dyagilevo, Ivanovo Severny, Olenya, and Ukrainka—using drones concealed in and launched from trucks on Russian territory.

It was the largest drone attack on Russia's air bases up to that point in the war, employing 117 drones that damaged over 40 aircraft, according to Ukrainian officials, with Russia confirming that the attack took place. It was noted for unprecedented geographical penetration, across five oblasts in five time zones,^[1] especially with respect to the Belaya air base in Eastern Siberia, where damage was confirmed 4,300 km (2,700 mi) from Ukraine.^[2]

Preparation

According to Ukrainian sources, the "extremely complex" operation took 1.5 years of preparation and was personally supervised by Volodymyr Zelenskyy.^[3] Drones were transported to Russia, transferred to wooden launch containers and then the containers were mounted on trucks. At the start of the attack, roofs of these containers were opened remotely and the drones were flown to their targets.^[4]^[5] Ukrainian sources claimed that the agents who prepared the operation on Russian territory were evacuated before the attacks had begun.^[6]

According to American and Ukranian sources, the United States was not informed in advance about the attacks, which was somewhat unusual given the close involvement of the U.S. with Ukrainian operations in the war.^[7]^[8]

Strikes

As many as 117 first-person view (FPV)^[9] Ukrainian drones targeted five Russian airbases: Belaya, Dyagilevo, Ivanovo Severny, Olenya,^[10] and Ukrainka.^[11]^[12] The SBU claims to have hit more than 40 Russian military aircraft, including Tu-160, Tu-95, and Tu-22M strategic bombers and an A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft.^[13] Following the attacks, Russian officials announced a state of emergency with respect to Engels and Morozovsk air bases due to a possible air threat at those bases.^[14]

President Zelensky said that an 'office' for the operation was located near an office of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), and furthermore that 34% of Russia's strategic cruise missile carriers had been struck.^[10]

Olenya

After earlier media reports about the mass deployment of strategic aviation aircraft to the Olenya air base, south of Murmansk,^[15] the airbase was attacked using FPV drones, destroying or damaging several strategic aircraft.^{[citation needed]} Russian media reported the attack at Olenya but said that air defenses were working.^[10] Residents of Olenegorsk reported explosions and fire with a video of the aftermath being later published.^[16] The attack on Olenya was carried out from a truck at a gas station. At least 10 explosions occured.^[17] The authorities prohibited the population from entering or leaving Olenegorsk. Nuclear capable Tu-95 bombers were amongst the aircraft based at the air base.^[16]^[18] According to the OSINT project AviVector, as of May 26, 2 Tu-95MS, 3 Tu-160 and 2 Su-34 were based at the airbase.^[19]

Belaya

An attack was carried out on the Belaya air base, in Irkutsk Oblast, confirmed by local residents and the governor. Governor Igor Kobzev said that there was a "drop on an old building" in Novomaltinsk [ru]. Similar to Olenya, the drones were launched from trucks. This was the first Ukrainian strike in Siberia. The 200th Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Brest Red Banner Regiment, armed with Tu-22M3 strategic bombers, is stationed at the airbase.^[18]^[16] The governor also shared footage showing a plume of smoke.^[20] According to the OSINT project AviVector, the day before the attack, there were 52 strategic aviation aircraft (35 Tu-22M3 bombers, 6 Tu-95MS bombers and 7 Tu-160 bombers) and 30 MiG-31 fighters, as well as 8 auxiliary and transport aviation at the airbase.^[19]

Dyagilevo

Attacks were reported on the Dyagilevo airfield near Ryazan.^[18]^[16] The local governor confirmed the attack and stated that a fragment of the downed drone damaged the roof of a residential building but no one was hurt.^[16] At least seven explosions were reported.^[21] Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 bombers are based at this air base.^[16]

Ivanovo

An attack was reported on the Ivanovo air base near Ivanovo,^[18]^[16] but local authorities did not report the attack.^[16] The Ivanovo base was previously struck on 23 May 2025.^[22] According to The Moscow Times, the A-50 was likely hit here.^[16]

Ukrainka

The Ukrainka air base near Seryshevo in Amur Oblast was planned to be targeted during the operation. However, the strike on the air base was foiled, with the truck carrying FPV drones exploding.^[11]^[23]^[24]

Aftermath

Ukrainian officials asserted that the strikes damaged one-third of Russia's strategic cruise missile carriers, estimated to be worth US$7 billion.^[25] The Institute for the Study of War noted in its initial analysis that Russia's capacity to launch long-range missiles and drones into Ukraine may had been at least temporarily constrained, and that some of the older strategic aircraft hit were no longer in production and thus impossible to replace.^[26]

The Russian Ministry of Defense referred to the operation as a "terrorist attack."^[27] The ministry noted attacks on air bases in five regions of Russia but claimed that, in three of the regions, the attacks were repelled.^[28] The two attack sites at which it confirmed damage to aircraft are the Olenya and Belaya air bases.^[1]

TASS reported that a truck driver alleged to be involved in the attack was to be questioned by police.^[29]