On June 1, they launched this huge drone operation deep into Russia. Not just one or two drones — we’re talking 117 of them. They called the mission "Operation Spider’s Web," and it was super detailed. These weren’t random attacks either — they targeted four major Russian airbases and took out over 40 aircraft. Some of those planes were big-deal bombers, the kind that can carry nukes. That’s a serious hit. The way they did it is also wild — they snuck the drones into Russia hidden inside wooden crates, and once they were in position, they launched them remotely. It sounds like something out of a movie.
What kind of damage are we talking about?
Ukrainian officials say the attack caused about $7 billion in damage — and that’s just the estimate. They believe it knocked out almost a third of Russia’s long-range bombers and missile aircraft, which is a big deal strategically. A bunch of videos popped up online right after, showing drones hitting planes and setting them on fire. Some of the aircraft even had car tires on them — apparently, Russia uses them to confuse drone targeting, but it clearly didn’t work this time. Ukraine hit their mark. This wasn’t just for show; it seriously impacted Russia’s ability to launch big air strikes.
Ukraine carries out major drone attack on Russian planes, as its security service claims 40 aircraft hit https://t.co/vxht425PCe
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) June 1, 2025
Why did Ukraine do this now?
This part’s really interesting. The timing feels pretty intentional. Ukraine and Russia are supposed to start peace talks again soon — in Istanbul, Turkey — and Ukraine probably wanted to show they’re not backing down. President Zelensky has already said any real peace talks need to include things like:
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A full ceasefire
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Russia giving back all the land they took
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Paying for the damage caused by the war
So yeah, this drone strike? It might’ve been Ukraine’s way of saying, “We’re still strong, and we’re not negotiating from a weak spot.”
How did Russia react?
As expected, Russia was not happy. They called the whole thing a “terrorist attack” and said they shot down most of the drones. But they didn’t give many details about the actual damage, which is kinda telling. They did admit that airbases in five different regions got hit, though. So yeah, something clearly got through. Russia hasn’t shared any real numbers or images yet, and that silence says a lot.
What people are saying now
A lot of military experts are calling this a “game-changer.” And honestly, it kind of feels like it. This wasn’t a random strike — it was a carefully planned, deep-targeted move that actually worked. It shows how far Ukraine’s come in using modern tech like drones. They're not just defending anymore — they’re taking the fight into Russia’s backyard. It also raises some big questions about what comes next in this war. If Ukraine can do this now, what else are they capable of?
