New images show extent of damage to Russian bombers after Ukraine drone strike
Newly released drone footage and satellite imagery have revealed the wreckage of three Russian strategic bombers at a secluded airbase — offering the clearest visual evidence yet of a bold Ukrainian drone operation deep inside Russian territory.
The satellite images, captured by Planet Labs on 4 June and analysed by ITV News, show the aftermath of a strike last Sunday at Belaya airbase in Irkutsk Oblast, more than 2,500 miles from the Ukrainian border. Until now, cloud cover had obscured the site.
In a key section of the airfield near the runway, six aircraft are visible—three appear destroyed, while the others seem undamaged.
The satellite images show some of the aircraft parked at deliberate 45-degree angles, a typical dispersal tactic.
But most of the surrounding infrastructure appears untouched, highlighting the precision—and likely selectivity—of the operation.
Elsewhere on the base, in a section to the south, four out of roughly 40 fighter jets show clear signs of damage, also believed to be the result of drone strikes.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has also released a four-minute video showing drone footage captured during strikes on multiple Russian airfields, including Olenya, Ivanovo, Dyagilevo as well as Belaya.'Among the aircraft struck were A-50, Tu-95, Tu-22, Tu-160, An-12 and Il-78,' the agency said in a statement.
It added that the drones used in the operation were guided by a combination of autonomous artificial intelligence algorithms and manual operator input.
Footage appears to show a drone striking Russian warplanes at Belaya airfield. Credit: Telegram / insiderUKR
Military observers have described the coordinated attacks—reportedly planned over the course of 18 months—as one of Ukraine's most daring to date.
According to the SBU, the operation, codenamed Spiderweb, involved smuggling drones into Russian territory to strike high-value military assets from within.President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 117 drones were used during the coordinated attacks. He claimed the mission was directed from an office located next to a local headquarters of the FSB, Russia's federal security service.
Ukraine estimates the strike inflicted up to £5 billion worth of damage—a figure which remains unverified—but the newly released imagery underscores the scale, accuracy and reach of the Ukrainian operation.
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