Ukraine’s “Spider Web” Strike Cripples Russian Strategic Bomber Fleet
A daring operation by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), codenamed “Spider Web,” has reportedly inflicted important damage on Russia’s strategic air power. Satellite imagery confirms the destruction or severe damage of at least 13 Russian military aircraft, including critical components of its long-range strike capabilities.
Confirmed Damage at Belaya Air Base
New satellite imagery, analyzed and published by OSINT analyst Chris Biggers, reveals the extent of the damage at Russia’s Belaya Air Base in the Irkutsk region. The images, captured using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology, bypass weather and daylight limitations to provide a clear assessment of the battlefield impact.
The analysis indicates the destruction of four Tu-22M3 supersonic bombers at Belaya,including three housed in hardened aircraft shelters. Biggers’ report states, In addition to the four previously confirmed Tu-95s, four Tu-22M3 bombers were destroyed at Belaya. The scale of wreckage indicates these aircraft are total losses.
Details of the “Spider Web” Operation
The June 1 strike involved 117 FPV drones targeting five key Russian airfields: Belaya, Olenya, Dyagilevo, Ivanovo-Severny, and Voskresensk. Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Ukrainian Center for Countering disinformation, confirmed the operation’s success, noting that at least 13 Russian aircraft were destroyed and many more damaged.
Did you know?
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) can penetrate clouds and operate at night, providing crucial intelligence regardless of weather conditions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the operation was Ukraine’s most long-range strike to date, targeting assets across three Russian time zones.
đź”´ 34% of strategic cruise missile carriers at the main airfields of the Russia were hit as a result of today’s operation,according to the Security Service of Ukraine.
The losses are estimated at approximately $7 billion. pic.twitter.com/Yf4RRmnWH7
– UNITED24 Media (@United24media) June 1, 2025
Olenya Air Base, nearly 1,800 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, also sustained damage. open-source intelligence confirms the destruction of four Tu-95 bombers and one An-12 transport aircraft at that location.
Impact on Russia’s Strategic Aviation
The aircraft targeted in the strikes are core components of Russia’s strategic bomber fleet, capable of carrying nuclear-capable Kh-101 cruise missiles and conducting long-range strikes into Ukrainian territory.
- 8 Tu-95 strategic bombers destroyed or severely damaged
- 4 Tu-22M3 supersonic bombers destroyed
- 1 An-12 transport aircraft destroyed
Notably, neither the Tu-95 nor the Tu-22M3 is currently in production, making their loss a significant setback for Russia’s strategic aviation capabilities.
Pro Tip
The Tu-22M3 bombers, each costing approximately $100 million, are crucial for launching long-range cruise missiles. Their destruction significantly impacts Russia’s ability to strike deep into Ukrainian territory.
The Element of Surprise
Despite Belaya Air Base being located over 4,400 kilometers from the front line, the SBU was reportedly able to position operational infrastructure close to Russian military assets. President Zelenskyy revealed that the SBU’s covert “office” on Russian territory was next door to an FSB office.
Russian military bloggers have attempted to geolocate the launch site of the drones based on footage released by Ukraine, alleging that drones were launched from a commercial rental container in Chelyabinsk, with a rental cost of under $5,000 USD per month.
Reports also indicate that Ukrainian forces trained artificial intelligence systems used in drone operations by studying Soviet-era bombers preserved in military museums-aircraft that mirror those now being struck deep inside Russian territory.
