Full scale of Op Spiderweb devastation laid bare as satellite pix show prized Putin jets in RUINS after $7bn drone blitz
THE FULL extent of Ukraine's devastating drone blitz on airfields inside Russia has been laid bare by new satellite pictures.
Advertisement
8
Shadows of scorched earth are all that remain on Putin's bombers at this airfield
Credit: @AirbusDefence
8
This bomber was smashed to smithereens by the cheap Ukrainian drones
Credit: AFP
8
The Belaya airfield bares the scars of the drone blitz
Credit: @Planet and @AirbusDefence
8
Stunning satellite photos show patches of scorched
earth
where valuable Russian jets one lay.
The debris has been hastily swept away - perhaps an attempt to conceal the scale of the destruction.
Elsewhere, wreckages of warplanes blown to pieces remain on the tarmac, with fragments strewn across the runway.
he most daring raids of the
WW2
that turned the tide against the
Nazis
.
Advertisement
read more in world news
Volodymyr Zelensky
oversaw the operation and said:
"It's genuinely satisfying when something I authorized a year and six months ago comes to fruition and deprives Russians of over forty units of strategic aviation.
"We will continue this work."
Putin's
doomsday bomber
fleet was crippled with 41 - a third of the total - of his most prized aircraft lying in smouldering wrecks on tarmac.
Ukraine
said the sneak attack was worth $7bn (£5.2bn) in damage to
Russia
- caused by just 117 cheaply made
drones
.
Advertisement
Most read in The US Sun
Following the humiliating and costly blow, Putin's stooges came out and
Desperate to save face, Russian war bloggers named the man they
believe was pulling the leavers as
Artem Timofeev.
Dramatic moment Putin's 'war hero' who led slaughter of Mariupol is killed in mysterious suicide bomb attack
Artem, 37, is a former
Ukrainian
DJ.
Putin's
sleuths think they have identified that he owned the lorries used to carry the containers to the
strikes
.
Advertisement
Alleged drivers who transported the crates and were tracked down by the bloggers all had similar stories about taking instruction from an "Artem", the
.
They appeared to have thought they were transporting wooden frame houses, but instead they moved kamikaze drones into strike position.
8
Ukraine hit bombers at the Russian Belaya Air Base in Irkutsk
Credit: East2West
8
Ukraine released photos of the drones in the crates taken from inside Russia
Credit: Unpixs
Advertisement
8
A still from first-person-footage of the drone blasts
Credit: Ukrainian Armed Forces
The drones and the containers were smuggled into Russia and then pieced together right under
Vlad's
nose.
Clueless lorry drivers then parked the containers
next
to Russian airbases - where they sat and waited in plain sight.
Zelensky said the drivers were led far away from their vehicles - as Ukraine looked to hide those involved being captured and interrogated the FSB.
Advertisement
Then, on the morning of June 1, the fleet of flying bombs rose over the far reaches of Russia - and the most daring military operation of the war began.
Nondescript shipping containers parked in laybys and verges had attracted little attention - before their lids blew open and the drone swarms poured out.
Russian civilians stood in awe as they saw the drones zoom out of the containers and head in the direction of the airbase.
The craft buzzed as they took off into the air and only had to travel a short distance to their valuable targets.
Advertisement
Each of the 117 drones had their own dedicated pilot and Russia had little defences to protect their bases and stop them.
One hapless Russian soldier stationed at an air base recorded himself standing just meters from several burning wrecks.
8
Russian Belaya Air Base in Irkutsk region, Siberia, was ablaze
Credit: East2West
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Putin's secret daughter, 22, ‘working in anti-war art gallery in Paris' after ‘ditching tyrant's name'
VLADIMIR Putin's alleged secret daughter is reportedly working at two Parisian art galleries that showcase anti-war exhibitions. Elizaveta Krivonogikh, 22 – also known as Luiza Rozova and now Elizaveta Rudnova – is said to be rubbing shoulders with Russian dissidents and Ukrainian artists in the French capital. Advertisement 6 Elizaveta Krivonogikh, also known as Elizaveta Rudnova, is said to be Vladimir Putin's secret daughter Credit: East2West 6 The 22-year-old is reportedly working at two art galleries in Paris Credit: Social media 6 She is said to be Putin's offspring with his former long-term lover Svetlana Krivonogikh Credit: Elizaveta Krivonogikh 6 One of the galleries is said to be Espace Albatros in the neighbourhood of Montreuil Credit: Google Maps Reports say she is working at L Galerie in Belleville and Espace Albatros in Montreuil, despite being the daughter of a regime responsible for the war they oppose. Both galleries are said to be known for exhibiting anti-war art, according to outlet She also Her role as gallery manager includes helping organise shows and make videos, and it has seemed to spark fury among exiled Russians and Ukrainians. Advertisement Read more on Vladimir Putin Artist Nastya Rodionova, who fled Russia in 2022, said she couldn't stay silent. In a Facebook post, she wrote: 'It's important to say that I believe in the presumption of innocence and that children are not responsible for the crimes of their parents. 'But with the war reaching its heights it is inadmissible to allow a person who comes from a family of beneficiaries of [Putin's] regime to come into confrontation with the victims of that regime. 'We need to know who we are working with and decide whether we are ready for that. My personal answer in this case is no.' Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Exclusive Dmitry Dolinsky, director of L Association that controls Studio Albatros and L Galerie, defended Rudnova's role. Putin warns Trump he 'will have to respond' to Ukraine's daring drone attack in hour-long phone call with president He told Some insiders back her, calling her a 'cultured person' and 'excellent worker'. But Rodionova hit back, warning that victims of the war shouldn't be forced to share space with anyone tied to the regime – alleged daughter or not. Advertisement Rudnova's mother, Svetlana Krivonogikh, was sanctioned by the UK in 2023 and linked to Putin's inner circle by independent Russian media. She reportedly owns property worth $100million and was outed as Putin's former mistress by the Proekt investigative team. Elizaveta vanished from Russian social media shortly before the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. She once flaunted a lavish lifestyle on Instagram, posting photos in designer clothes, sipping champagne, and DJing under the name Luiza Rozova. Advertisement Ukrainian TV later claimed she was living in Paris with a passport under the name Rudnova, allegedly ditching the patronymic Vladimirovna, which would confirm her father's name as Vladimir. 6 Elizaveta would often flaunt her wealth with social media posts Credit: East2West 6 She also allegedly ditched her tyrant dad's surname Credit: East2West Born in March 2003, Elizaveta has never publicly confirmed a link to the Russian tyrant. Advertisement The Kremlin has never confirmed her existence either. But the timing of her birth, her resemblance to Putin, and her mother's major financial rise have fuelled years of speculation. Kremlin critics say she is part of the hidden empire Putin has built for his inner circle and family. Officially, Putin only acknowledges two daughters, Maria and Katerina, from his marriage to Lyudmila Putina, whom he divorced in 2014. Advertisement But it's long been rumoured he has more children — including two sons with former gymnast Alina Kabaeva. Who are Vladimir Putin's daughters? VLADIMIR Putin is known for keeping his personal and family life very private, but some details about the tyrant's children have surfaced over the years . Maria Vorontsova (née Putin, born April 28, 1985) : His eldest, 39, leads government-funded programs personally overseen by Putin, which have received billions from the Kremlin for genetic research. She is the first of two daughters of Putin and his ex-wife, Lyudmila Putina. Maria is said to be an expert in rare genetic diseases in children, and also dwarfism, according to reports. She was married to Dutch businessman Jorrit Faassen. In 2013, the couple were living in a penthouse in Voorschoten, the The pair are believed to have moved the Moscow the following year. In March 2022, it was reported that the couple had split after the war in Ukraine crushed Maria's dreams of opening a money-spinning clinic for wealthy foreigners in Russia Katerina Tikhonova (née Putin, born August 31, 1986) : Also daughter of Putin and Lyudmila, 38-year-old Katerina is a tech boss whose work supports the Russian government and defence industry. She started as a "rock'n'roll" dancer before moving into the world of artificial intelligence. In 2013, his daughter Katerina married Kirill Shamalov, whose father, Nikolai, is a longtime friend of the president. Nikolai Shamalov is a shareholder in Bank Rossiya, described by US officials as the Russian elite's personal bank. They were married in a secret ceremony at the Igor ski resort just north of St Petersburg. It was reported at the time that the pair rode into the ceremony on a sleigh pulled by three white horses. All the guests invited were sworn to secrecy, and the Kremlin has never confirmed that the wedding took place. "I have a private life in which I do not permit interference," Putin once said. "It must be respected." The couple had corporate holdings worth around $2 billion, according to Kirill also bought off Timchenko's luxury villa in the seaside resort of Biarritz, southern In March 2022, the house was taken over by pro-Ukraine activists, in response to Russia's brutal invasion. But Katerina and Kirill divorced in January 2018, with Putin's former son in law rumoured to have been romantically involved with After the split, Kirill was said to be forced to give up his stocks in Sibur, and he lost almost half his wealth. Their divorce settlement hasn't been disclosed but likely runs into the millions. Despite that, Kirill is still worth an estimated $800 million. Putin was reported to be "quietly grooming" Katerina to be his successor. Vlad is also rumoured to have "hidden" children, though he has never confirmed these reports. Elizaveta Rozova (aka Luiza Rozova) : Elizaveta, also known as Luiza Rozova, 21, is the rumoured love child from Putin's alleged affair with a former cleaner. The daughter of Svetlana Krivonogikh, who later became a millionaire, is now She often shared details from her lavish life on Speculation also surrounds his supposed secret family with , a former rhythmic gymnast once known as "the most flexible woman in Russia". Officials have denied that A petition demanding she is thrown out by the Swiss authorities has garnered 75,000 signatures, demanding that "it's time you reunite Eva Braun with her Führer". Alina retired from gymnastics and took a strange career turn to become a Russian MP. The former athlete - dubbed "Russia's First Mistress" - the Duma, the Russian parliament in 2007, representing her alleged lover's United Russia party but left years later to pick up a lucrative job running a media company, despite having no previous experience. In April, Alina's name and picture was
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Elon Musk hints at new ‘America Party' as Trump fumes billionaire has ‘lost his mind' after bitter bromance break-up
ELON Musk has hinted at launching a new political force just days after a spectacular public falling-out with President Donald Trump. In a string of posts on X, the tech mogul asked his 220 million followers whether it was 'time to create a new political party in America that actually represents the 80% in the middle.' 6 Elon Musk is considering a new 'America Party' in his latest jab at Trump Credit: AFP 6 The pair had been showing off their political bromance until their public fall-out Credit: AFP 6 The feud erupted over Trump's 'big, beautiful bill,' which proposed stripping billions in government subsidies from Tesla Credit: AFP By Friday, after 80 per cent of the 5,6million responders backed the idea, Musk declared: "This is fate." He later endorsed a supporter's suggestion to name it the America Party. It echoes the name of Musk's America PAC - the vehicle he used to pour $239million into backing Trump and GOP candidates in 2024. But the former allies are now locked in an escalating war of words, with Trump telling ABC News, 'You mean the man who has lost his mind?' when asked about a possible call with Musk. Read more on Trump & Musk 'Not particularly,' he added when pressed on whether he planned to speak to the billionaire. The rift appears rooted in Trump's prized One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a sweeping domestic spending package Musk has called a 'disgusting abomination.' The president has hit back, reportedly threatening to strip Musk's companies of federal subsidies. Musk also called for Trump's impeachment earlier this week, adding fuel to the feud by promoting baseless claims linking the president to the Jeffrey Epstein case — claims which GOP lawmakers quickly rejected. Most read in The US Sun Political fallout Musk may not be serious about launching a new party — he also responded 'Hmm' to a suggestion he reform the GOP from within — but his comments have added fresh uncertainty to an already divided political landscape. Launching a viable third party would require navigating complex state-by-state ballot access laws. Elon Musk's craziest moments, as Tesla CEO leaves White House after 130 days of drama: from chainsaw to double hats and billionaire has ALREADY turned on Trump 6 And unlike his super PAC, direct party donations are capped under federal election rules. Still, the fallout from the split is spreading. House Speaker Mike Johnson — a key Trump ally — waved off Musk's criticism and threw his support behind the bill that triggered the clash. 'The American people are concerned about things that really matter,' Johnson said Thursday. 'That is making their taxes low, making their economy work, making the border secure, making energy dominance a big thing again.' Vice President 6 Trump is now reportedly considering to sell his Tesla or give it away Credit: AP 6 Vice President JD Vance blasted Musk's 'ridiculous' claims Credit: AP Tesla out, Mars off-limits The bromance breakup has even reached the White House garage. Trump, who bought a red Tesla Model S in March in a show of support for Musk, now plans to sell or give it away, administration officials said. Republican lawmakers and influencers appear divided. Some, like Rep. Thomas Massie, acknowledged Musk's frustrations but urged caution. Others, including members of Trump's youth advisory board, declared their loyalty firmly with the president. Meanwhile, Musk's allies hinted at deeper tensions, with MAGA influencers joking that Trump's 'not invited to Mars anymore.' Hedge fund manager Bill Ackman called for reconciliation, but hopes of a peace deal faded quickly as Trump doubled down Friday morning. Musk, for his part, says he'll be around for '40+ years.' Whether that includes a third-party bid or a return to GOP primaries remains unclear. How did Musk and Trump's relationship crumble? ELON Musk and Donald Trump spent Thursday launching insults on social media as their relationship quickly went sour. The Tesla owner called for Trump's impeachment as the president hit back and warned the government could end all federal contracts with Musk's companies. Here's how it went down: On Tuesday, Musk tweeted that Trump's signature "big beautiful" spending bill was a "disgusting abomination" that would add billions to the federal deficit On Thursday in the Oval Office, Trump addressed Musk's criticism of the bill and accused Musk of trying to kill it because the bill ends federal subsidies for electric vehicles Musk responded by live-posting on X as Trump spoke, initially shrugging off the president's assessment with an unbothered "Whatever," before tearing into the bill's other spending provisions Trump escalated the feud after the Oval Office meeting with multiple posts on Truth Social, saying he told Musk to leave the White House instead of continuing to work with Doge and threatening to dump Musk's federal contracts, which are worth billions Musk fired back on X by saying he was "decommissioning" the Dragon spacecraft made by SpaceX that brought the stranded Nasa astronauts back from the International Space Station in March Musk also escalated the war of words by reposting and replying "Yes" to a tweet claiming that Trump should be impeached and replaced by Vice President JD Vance Musk further fanned the flames by claiming that Trump is named in the infamous "Epstein files" and making unfounded accusations that its the reason they haven't been released to the public.
The Journal
4 hours ago
- The Journal
Snared by the 'Spider's Web' - How Ukraine carried out their 'audacious' weekend drone attack
DESPITE BEING OUTNUMBERED and outgunned, Ukraine managed to use inexpensive drones to destroy Russian nuclear-capable bombers worth billions of dollars last weekend, in an operation carried out after months of planning. The operation targeted dozens of strategic air bases and delivered a major blow to Moscow's long-range bomber fleet. US news outlets described the attack as 'stunning' and 'audacious', UK press said it was 'unprecedented' and 'broad' – and all of them agreed that the major attack on Russia's nuclear-capable strategic bombers highlighted Ukraine's strategic savvy against its much larger invader. Codenamed 'Spider's Web' – or simply 'Web' – the operation was named for its wide geographic coverage across remote Russian locations previously thought to be beyond the reach of Ukraine's long-range drone capabilities. Some military commentators and pro-Russian bloggers even called it the country's 'Pearl Harbour'. The strikes seem to have got to Putin – with Donald Trump admitting this week that the Russian leader 'very strongly' told him he 'will have to respond' to the drone attack. Russia has since launched large-scale drone and missile strikes on Ukraine's capital and other parts of the country in an apparent retaliation. How did Ukraine do it? Planning for the operation began over 18 months ago. Ukrainian agents secretly smuggled about 150 small strike drones, modular launch systems, and 300 explosive payloads into Russia using covert routes. Babr Mash Babr Mash The drones were hidden inside wooden cabins, which were then loaded onto ordinary cargo trucks. A truck used to release some of the Ukrainian drones that attacked Russian air bases. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo A key part of the plan relied on covert logistics within Russian territory, involving unwitting Russian civilians – the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reportedly recruited Russian truck drivers to transport the mobile drone launchers disguised as regular cargo. These drivers were instructed to arrive at specific times and park at preselected spots near strategic Russian air bases, such as fuel stations and remote roadside areas. At the appointed time last weekend, the roofs of the cabins were remotely opened, and drones launched directly from inside the trucks. Footage of a Ukrainian FPV strike drone rising from a cargo truck and heading towards Russia's Belaya Airbase. The drone launch and airbase hit were over 4000 km (2500 mi) from Ukraine. — OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 1, 2025 This allowed the drones to strike from very close range, bypassing Russia's layered air defenses – including Pantsir and S-300 systems – before they could respond. Russian sources confirmed the drones launched just outside airfields, from places like fuel stations and roadside laybys. After launch, the trucks exploded, triggered by self-destruct mechanisms. Ukrainian leaders, including President Zelensky and SSU chief Vasyl Maliuk, were reportedly involved in planning and real-time coordination. What was the impact? In total, 117 drones were launched, striking at least 41 aircraft. Advertisement Ukraine's SBU put the estimated cost to the Kremlin at $7 billion. Footage from a Ukrainian drone striking Russian planes deep in Russia's territory. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Ukrainian estimates claim this damaged 34% of Russia's strategic cruise missile platforms, including some of the few remaining A-50 early warning aircraft critical for Russia's air surveillance and targeting. Russia's major losses include strategic bombing, aviation, and airborne early warning and control aircraft. An overhead view of the damage at Olenya air base. Sumy Oblast government Sumy Oblast government The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed the attacks had occurred in five regions of Russia – Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan and Amur – but stated planes had been damaged only in Murmansk and Irkutsk, while in other locations the attacks had been repelled. One of the air bases impacted by the strikes was 2,500 miles behind Russian borders, deep in Siberia. Yohann Michel, a researcher at the French university Lyon 3, said the loss of the aircraft was 'a serious blow to Russian offensive capabilities'. 7 млрд. доларів США. Така орієнтовна вартість стратегічної авіації ворога, яка була вражена сьогодні в результаті спецоперації СБУ «Павутина». Вражено 34% стратегічних носіїв крилатих ракет на основних аеродромах базування рф. Слава Україні! Героям Слава! 🇺🇦 — СБ України (@ServiceSsu) June 1, 2025 'The main impact could be felt in several weeks' time with a reduction in the number of sorties by the rest of the fleet' due to difficulties in finding spare parts for the Soviet-era planes, which are no longer in production, he said. Maxim Starchak, a fellow at the Centre for International and Defence Policy at Queen's University in Canada, said it would take Russia a long time to replace the lost aircraft. 'Russia is extremely slow and inefficient in developing new aircraft for its nuclear forces,' he explained. 'Essentially untracable' Michael Shurkin, a former CIA officer, said Ukraine's operation was likely to have struck fear into militaries across the world, adding that potential targets for such drone attacks could include refineries, ballistic missile silos or military bases. 'This technology is akin to stealth technology: The threat is difficult to detect both because it emerges near the target and is too small and too low to be picked up by sensors designed to catch aircraft or missiles,' said Shurkin, director of global programs for the consultancy 14 North Strategies. Footage from a Ukrainian drone targeting Belaya Air Base in Russia's Irkutsk region in Siberia last week. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Ukrainian military analyst Oleksii Kopytko said anyone delivering a pizza or driving a horse-drawn cart could present a danger. 'The organisers and main perpetrators are essentially untraceable,' he said. A French arms manufacturing executive said Ukraine could even have trained AI algorithms to recognise aircraft or guide the drones in case of jamming. 'New tools are forcing us to completely rethink defence systems and how they are produced,' said the executive, who asked not to be named. 'It opens up possibilities that we hadn't even imagined.' Zelensky 'just proved that he and Ukraine are more than able to pull aces out of their combat fatigue sleeves,' said Timothy Ash, an emerging market economist focused on Russia. Additional reporting from AFP Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
