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Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Operation Spiderweb': How Ukraine destroyed over a third of Russian bombers
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) reported on Sunday that over a third of all Russian missile carriers have been hit in a coordinated drone attack aimed at different airfields in Russia located thousands of kilometres apart. More than 40 aircraft are known to have been hit, including the A-50, Tu-95, and Tu-22 M3, causing overall damage of more than €6 billion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said "Operation Spiderweb" had made "an absolutely brilliant result" which was "achieved solely by Ukraine." The Ukrainian president also shared more details on how the operation was carried out, explaining that 117 drones had been used, each with its own pilot. "The most interesting thing — and we can already say this publicly — is that the 'office' of our operation on Russian territory was located right next to the FSB (Federal Security Service) of Russia, in one of their regions,' he said in a post on Telegram. In a major blow to Russia's security services, Zelenskyy said Ukraine managed not only to execute the operation but also to safely withdraw the people involved. They were operating "in different Russian regions — in three time zones." 'Our most long-range operation. Our people involved in preparing the operation were withdrawn from Russian territory in time," he explained. Zelenskyy said it took Kyiv "one year, six months, and nine days from the start of planning to effective execution." He thanked the head of Ukraine's Security Service, General Vasyl Malyuk, and asked him to reveal the details and results of the operation to the public. "Of course, not everything can be revealed at this moment, but these are Ukrainian actions that will undoubtedly be in history books," he added. "Ukraine is defending itself, and rightly so — we are doing everything to make Russia feel the need to end this war. Russia started this war, Russia must end it," Zelenskyy wrote. Although Ukraine's security service has not revealed more details at this stage, Ukrainian outlets are reporting exactly how the operation was executed, referencing SBU sources. According to these reports, first-person-view (FPV) drones were smuggled deep inside Russia and hidden inside trucks in mobile log cabins. The cabins' roofs were then opened remotely, and the drones proceeded to launch their attack on Russian military bombers. Russia's Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev confirmed that the drones that attacked a military base in Siberia's Sredniy were launched from inside a truck. In a post on Telegram, he said that the launch site had been secured and there was no further threat to people's lives. Russian outlets also reported that other attacks were launched in a similar manner, with drones emerging from the backs of trucks. Social media footage widely shared by Russian media appears to show the drones rising from inside containers, while the panels lie discarded on the road. One clip appeared to show men climbing onto a truck in an attempt to intercept the drones. In a display of the planning process of "Operation Spiderweb", Ukraine's Security Service shared a photo on Telegram of SBU head General Malyuk looking at pictures of Russian bombers and the airfields. "Operation Spiderweb" is not the first unconventional operation to be carried out by Ukraine's Security Service. In October 2022, the SBU struck the Kerch bridge, which had been illegally built by Russia after its annexation of Crimea in 2014. The explosion, which Russian authorities said was caused by a truck bomb, badly damaged the bridge which links Moscow-occupied Crimea and Russia. The targeting of Russian bombers, which have been carrying out massive missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, was previously considered almost unthinkable. Moscow had made sure to keep them well out of the range of Kyiv's weapons, both homemade and those supplied by allies. Olenya air base is located in Russia's Murmansk region, around 2,000 km from the border with Ukraine. Belaya air base is in Russia's Irkutsk region, in south-eastern Siberia and over 4,000 km east of the frontline. These two airfields were among the hardest hit during Sunday's operation. Another notable aspect of the "Operation Spiderweb" was the choice of weapons. Kyiv used FPV drones, which are produced in Ukraine en masse and are widely used and appreciated by the military due to their affordability. FPV drones typically cost only a few hundred euros, while a Russian A50 radar detection aircraft, which was reportedly hit today along with other planes, costs over €300 million. Ukraine's presidential advisor and former minister of strategic industries Oleksandr Kamyshin has said Ukrainian manufacturers have the capacity to produce over 5 million FPV drones per year.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- General
- The Independent
Zelensky praises Ukraine's security service for ‘brilliant operation' against Russian warplanes
Volodymyr Zelensky praised Ukraine's security service for the "brilliant operation" that saw drone swarms target "military targets" deep inside Russian territory. 'Today, a brilliant operation was carried out. The preparation took over a year and a half,' the Ukrainian president said in his nightly address on 2 June. '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.' Kyiv claimed the drone attack destroyed over 40 Russian warplanes. The attack came on the same day Zelensky announced that Ukraine would send a delegation to Istanbul for a new round of direct peace talks with Russia on Monday.
Times of Oman
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Times of Oman
"Brilliant operation carried out on enemy territory, Russia suffered significant losses": Zelenskyy
Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that Ukrainian armed forces had conducted a "brilliant operation" in Russia aimed "exclusively at military targets." He said the operation inflicted significant losses on Russia, which he termed as "justified and deserved." In his address to the nation on Sunday, Zelenskyy thanked Ukraine's Security Service and all those involved in the operation and mentioned that 117 drones were used in the operation. He noted that the preparation of the operation took over a year and a half and mentioned that planning, organisation and every detail were perfectly executed. He said, "Just now, I received a report from Head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Vasyl Maliuk - a brilliant operation was carried out. It took place on enemy territory and was aimed exclusively at military targets - specifically, the equipment used in strikes against Ukraine. Russia suffered truly significant losses - entirely justified and deserved. I thank the Security Service, General Maliuk personally, as well as everyone who was involved in the operation. The preparation took over a year and a half. Planning, organization, and every detail was perfectly executed. I can say with certainty that this is an absolutely unique operation." "What's most interesting - and this can now be stated publicly - is that the "office" of our operation on Russian territory was located directly next to FSB headquarters in one of their regions. 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. Our personnel operated across multiple Russian regions - in three different time zones. And the people who assisted us were withdrawn from Russian territory before the operation, they are now safe. It is 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," he added. He said that Ukraine's intelligence, before the operation, indicated that Russia was preparing another massive strike. He urged people not to ignore the air raid alerts. "Even before this operation was carried out, we had intelligence indicating that Russia was preparing another massive strike. And it is very important for all our people not to ignore the air raid alerts. Last night, there were nearly 500 Russian drones, attack drones. Each week, they have been increasing the number of units used per strike. Now, they have also prepared Kalibr missiles launched from naval carriers. We know exactly who we are dealing with. And we will defend ourselves by all means available to us - to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. Not for a single second did we want this war," he said. The President said that Ukraine offered a ceasefire to Russia. However, he said that Russia continues to choose the war, even though the US proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire has been on the table since March 11. He urged international community to pressurise Russia through diplomacy and sanctions. "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. And 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," he said. According to the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), Ukraine has conducted large-scale drone strikes against several air bases deep inside Russia, destroying multiple combat planes. The operation, named "Spiderweb," comes a day ahead of the peace talks scheduled to be held between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul. The operation conducted by Ukraine involved the most ambitious simultaneous strikes on Russian air bases since the war started in 2022. According to an SBU source, over 40 aircraft were known to have been hit, including TU-95 and Tu-22M3 strategic bombers and one of Russia's few remaining A-50 surveillance planes, CNN reported. According to the SBU, the operation caused an estimated damage of USD 7 billion and targeted 34 per cent of Russia's strategic cruise missile carriers at its main air bases. The airfields targeted included Belaya in Irkutsk, some 4,500 kilometres from Ukraine's border with Russia, and the Dyagilevo base in Ryazan in western Russia, about 520 kilometres from Ukraine. According to the source, the Olenya base near Murmansk in the Arctic Circle was also hit, and the Ivanovo air base was also struck, CNN reported. Ukrainian operation comes as the two warring nations are set to return to peace negotiations on Monday. The talks, which are set to take place in Istanbul, are facing uncertainty, CNN reported. US President Donald Trump has expressed frustration with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for stalling efforts to advance the peace talks. Earlier this month, Putin proposed holding "direct talks" in Turkiye, however, he never showed up, despite Zelenskyy expressing willingness to meet. Later, the two nations sent low-level delegations to hold talks. A framework from the Ukrainian delegation includes key principles for the negotiations that include a full and unconditional ceasefire, an exchange of prisoners, and the release of hostages and return of abducted children, according to CNN report.
India Today
2 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
117 drones, 18-month planning: Zelenskyy details 'brilliant op' deep into Russia
Sunday saw a sharp escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war with the armies engaging in one of the largest drone battles of the conflict. A Russian highway bridge was blown up as a passenger train passed over it, and a massive Ukraine strike targeted nuclear-capable bombers thousands of kilometres deep inside Russia, and also destroyed over 40 Russian escalation came on the same day Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that a Ukrainian delegation would travel to Istanbul on Monday for a new round of direct peace talks with called it a "brilliant operation", for which the preparation took "over a year and a half", and that 117 drones had been used. "Today, a brilliant operation was carried out -- on enemy territory, targeting only military objectives, specifically the equipment used to strike Ukraine. Russia suffered significant losses -- entirely justified and deserved. The preparation took over a year and a half. Planning, organisation, every detail was perfectly executed. It can be said with confidence that this was an absolutely unique operation," said the Ukranian a detailed statement on X, Zelenskyy shared information about the operation, describing it as a "genuinely satisfying" development."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," he said, detailing the attack just ahead of the peace 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 total, 117 drones were used in Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) June 1, 2025advertisementThe Ukriane President claimed the operation had been coordinated from an office located next to the local headquarters of the FSB, Russia's intelligence and security agency."In total, 117 drones were used in the operation with a corresponding number of drone operators involved. 34 per cent of the strategic cruise missile carriers stationed at air bases were hit. Our people operated across several Russian regions -- in three different time zones. And the people who assisted us were withdrawn from Russian territory before the operation, they are now safe," Zelenskyy claimed that even before the Ukrainian operation, Kyiv had intelligence suggesting that Russia was preparing for another massive strike. "It is very important for all our people not to ignore the air raid alerts," he added."It's genuinely satisfying when something I authorised a year and six months ago comes to fruition and deprives Russians of over forty units of strategic aviation. We will continue this work," the Ukraine President Russian and Ukrainian officials are set meet on Monday in Istanbul to exchange their plans for how to end the three-year war, Europe's largest conflict since World War officials had previously called on the Kremlin to provide a promised memorandum setting out its position on ending the war before the meeting takes place. Moscow had said it would share its memorandum during the this, Zelenskyy said, "The Russians, however, have not shared their 'memorandum' with anyone -- we don't have it, the Turkish side doesn't have it, and the American side doesn't have the Russian document either. Despite this, we will try to achieve at least some progress on the path toward peace".Moscow has been maintaining that it wants to address the "root causes" of the conflict, referring to a mix of sweeping demands including limiting Ukraine's military, banning the country from joining NATO and massive territorial Watch IN THIS STORY#Ukraine
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Smuggled drones, hid them in roofs: How Ukraine pulled off Operation 'Spider's Web' from 'office' next to Russian intel HQ
Ukraine's Operation "Spider's Web", one of the largest drone attacks carried out by the war-torn nation, hit 41 Russian planes stationed at military airfields on Sunday. In a bold intelligence feat, the operation was coordinated from an office located directly next to local Russian intelligence headquarters. For the first time, Russia officially acknowledged the attack and reported that the Olenogorsk airfield in the Murmansk region and the Sredny airfield in Irkutsk, Siberia, were attacked from nearby spots using trailer trucks as launch platforms. According to a Ukrainian official, the drones struck 41 aircraft at Russian military airfields, targeting key assets including A-50 radar planes and long-range Tu-95 and Tu-22M bombers—aircraft Moscow has previously used to launch missile attacks on Ukraine or coordinate targeting and air defense operations. Ukraine's security service claimed the operation destroyed 34% of Russia's fleet of air-launched missile carriers, estimating the damage at $7 billion—a figure that has not been independently verified. The planning and execution of the operation, however, was "extremely complex", AP reported citing a military source. Ukrainian Security Service Reports Striking 4 Russian Air Bases, Damaging 40 Strategic Bombers Here's how the operation was executed: One and a half years of planning Ukraine's unprecedented drone assault, codenamed was the result of over a year and a half of meticulous planning and was personally overseen by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. To be precise, Zelenskyy said that it took "one year, six months, and nine days from the start of planning to effective execution." Planning from office 'directly next to' Russian intel headquarters In what could be Russia's biggest intelligence failure, the Ukrainian operation's office was located "directly next to FSB headquarters in one of their regions." The FSB is the Russian intelligence and security service. "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," Zelenskyy said. 'Drones smuggled, hidden under roofs' The drones used were smuggled into Russia, AP reported citing military sources. It added that the drones were hidden under roofs and trucks. 'Later, drones were hidden under the roofs of these houses while already placed on trucks. At the right moment, the roofs of the houses were remotely opened, and the drones flew to hit Russian bombers,' the source said. Russia also said that the drones were launched not from Ukrainian territory, but from locations situated very close to the targeted airbases. Footage circulating on Russian social media appeared to show drones launching from within containers, with detached panels scattered along the roadside.
