41 fighter jets bombed in Operation ‘Spider’s Web’: 10 things to know about Ukraine’s drone attack on Russia

Ukraine carried out one of the largest drone attacks on Russia on Sunday targeting its military air bases and hitting nearly 34% of the strategic cruise missiles. The operation named “Spider’s Web” involved months of meticulous planning and the covert transport of drones into Russian territory.Calling it a “brilliant operation”, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, “Today, a brilliant operation was carried out. The preparation took over a year and a half. What’s most interesting, is that the ‘office’ of our operation on Russian territory was located directly next to FSB headquarters in one of their regions.”The Russian defence ministry also confirmed the strikes and said that 5 airbases were targeted across the country, however, it said that the attacks were “successfully repelled”.Here are ten things we know about the operation:41 Russian aircrafts targeted in Operation ‘Spider’s Web’Ukraine has claimed that significant damage was inflicted, however, an independent verification is yet to take place. The country has claimed to have destroyed 34% of Russia’s strategic bombers carrying cruise missiles, estimating damages at $7 billionAccording to a source in Ukraine’s SBU security service, coordinated drone attacks hit 41 Russian aircraft. Targets included Tu-95 and Tu-22 strategic bombers, and A-50 radar detection and command aircraft.Russia calls it ‘terror attack’Calling it a “terror attack”, Russia said in a statement, “All terror attacks on military airfields in the Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur Regions were repelled.”Analysts believe the attacks could be a strategic move by Zelenskyy to increase pressure on Moscow just before the second round of peace talks, set to take place Monday in Istanbul. Meanwhile, a Russian delegation headed by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medynsky has already arrived in Turkey for the negotiations.Russian military airfields targetedThe country’s defence ministry said that the drone strikes took place from within close proximity to airfields. “As a result of the launch of FPV drones from territories in the close proximity to military airfields in the Murmansk and Irkutsk Regions, several aircraft caught fire. The fires were extinguished,” it added.Operation took over an year of preparationThe Ukrainian SBU source said that the “Spider’s Web” operation took more than 18 months to prepare and involved highly intricate logistical planning. This was also confirmed by Zelenskyy who said: “The preparation took over a year and a half. What’s most interesting, is that the “office” of our operation on Russian territory was located directly next to FSB headquarters in one of their regions.”117 Ukrainian drones usedGiving information about the operation, Zelenskyy said that 117 drones were used in the operation.“In total, 117 drones were used in the operation with a corresponding number of drone operators involved. 34% of the strategic cruise missile carriers stationed at air bases were hit,” he said.‘Drones had been smuggled into Russia’According to the Ukrainian security source, drones were covertly transported into Russia and concealed within wooden enclosures mounted on trucks. Russia’s defence ministry acknowledged that the drones were launched not from Ukrainian territory, but from locations situated very close to the targeted airbases.Ukraine proposes ceasefireFollowing the attack, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy proposed “full and unconditional ceasefire”.“We continue to propose a full and unconditional ceasefire, along with all rational and dignified steps that could lead to a lasting and reliable peace. The Ukrainian proposal we presented to the Russians is logical and realistic,” he said.“Not for a single second did we want this war. We offered the Russians a ceasefire. Since March 11, the U.S. proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire has been on the table. It was the Russians who chose to continue the war – even under conditions where the entire world is calling for an end to the killing,” he added.Ukraine calls for sanctions on RussiaIn a bid to pressurize Russia to cease the offensive against Ukraine, the latter has called for international sanctions on the country.“Pressure is truly needed, pressure on Russia that should bring it back to reality. Pressure through sanctions. Pressure from our forces. Pressure through diplomacy. All of it must work together,” Zelenskyy said.Longest range operation yetZelenskyy described it as Ukraine’s longest-range mission since the start of the war. A total of 117 drones were deployed to strike targets located thousands of kilometers from Ukrainian territory. Among the key targets were the Olenya airbase, situated approximately 1,900 kilometers away in the Russian Arctic, and the Belaya airbase, around 4,300 kilometers distant in eastern Siberia. In response, Russia reported that it had successfully repelled additional drone attacks in the regions of Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur, the latter lying near the Chinese border.Ukraine to continue this offensiveZelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine would continue this offensive. The drone operation has drawn strong reactions from Russian military circles, with bloggers describing it as a “black day for aviation.” The pro-Russian Rybar channel labeled the strike a “very heavy blow” and pointed to serious shortcomings in Russian intelligence. Beyond its tactical impact, the operation carries strong symbolic weight, providing a boost to Ukrainian morale amid mounting challenges on the front lines. Former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko called the attacks a powerful negotiating tool for Ukraine ahead of upcoming talks with Moscow in Istanbul.