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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Before and after satellite images show the damage swarms of exploding Ukrainian drones inflicted on Russia's bombers
Ukraine carried out a massive drone attack on Russian airbases on Sunday. Kyiv said dozens of Russian aircraft, including its strategic bombers, were struck. New satellite imagery appears to show extensive damage at two of the airbases that were attacked. Newly captured satellite imagery captures the aftermath of the wide-scale Ukrainian drone attack that targeted multiple Russian airbases on Sunday. The photos, taken on Wednesday by US commercial satellite imaging company Maxar Technologies and obtained by Business Insider, appear to show damaged and destroyed bomber aircraft at the Belaya airbase in Russia's central Irkutsk region, more than 2,500 miles from the Ukrainian border. Ukraine's internal security agency, known as the SBU, said it used small quadcopter-style drones to strike 41 Russian aircraft. The targeted aircraft included Russian A-50 airborne early warning and control planes, An-12 transport aircraft, Il-78 refueling tankers, and Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 bombers, the agency said. The SBU said the attack impacted a third of Moscow's strategic cruise missile carriers and caused over $7 billion in losses. Beyond Belaya, the operation known as Spiderweb, which was over 18 months in the making, struck three other airbases across Russia: Olenya in the Murmansk region, Dyagilevo in the Ryazan region, and Ivanovo in the Ivanovo region. Maxar's images also show what appear to be destroyed aircraft at the northern Olenya base. Imagery of the airbases captured in the days and weeks leading up to the attack shows that Russia had covered many of its bombers with tires and unidentifiable objects. Moscow also painted fake aircraft on the tarmac and used debris to create decoy planes. The extensive use of deception has long been seen as an attempt by the Russians to try to confuse Ukrainian weapons systems, like drones and missiles, that are hunting its aircraft. Moscow has used this tactic at its airbases throughout the war. The Ukrainian attack on the Russian bases was as audacious as it was complex and far different from any other deep strike Kyiv has carried out during the war. Planning for the operation started more than a year and a half ago, the SBU shared. The agency transported small, explosive-laden quadcopter drones to Russia, and those were followed by wooden containers that resemble shipping crates. On Russian soil, operatives hid the drones in the containers, which were placed on trucks and driven to positions near the different airbases. Then, on Sunday, the tops of the containers were remotely opened, and the drones simultaneously flew out to attack their targets in swarms, striking dozens of aircraft. Lt. Gen. Vasyl Malyuk, the SBU chief, called it a "devastating blow" to Russian aviation. Video footage obtained by BI showed several Russian aircraft burning after they had been hit by drones. The bombers, which can travel long distances and carry heavy payloads, have been used in devastating strikes against Ukraine, Kyiv said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 117 first-person view (FPV) drones and as many operators were involved in the operation, which was coordinated in a field office directly next to an FSB headquarters in one of the Russian regions. "Planning, organization, every detail was perfectly executed. I can say with certainty that this is an absolutely unique operation," Zelenskyy said. He added that the operatives left Russian territory before the attack and are safe. The attack further highlights how cheap drones have become an invaluable, asymmetric weapon of war with growing reach. Belaya is farther than any of Ukraine's previous long-range strikes inside Russia. BI could not independently verify all the reported details of the operation, including how many aircraft were damaged or destroyed. Russia's defense ministry has acknowledged the attack but downplayed its severity. It's unclear how the attack will impact the Russian bomber fleet in the short and long term. Experts have said that even taking out a handful of the aircraft could have significant implications on Moscow's strike campaigns, which have intensified in recent weeks. Zelenskyy said that "before this operation was carried out, we had intelligence indicating that Russia was preparing another massive strike." Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
Before and after satellite images show the damage swarms of exploding Ukrainian drones inflicted on Russia's bombers
Ukraine carried out a massive drone attack on Russian airbases on Sunday. Kyiv said dozens of Russian aircraft, including its strategic bombers, were struck. New satellite imagery appears to show extensive damage at two of the airbases that were attacked. Newly captured satellite imagery captures the aftermath of the wide-scale Ukrainian drone attack that targeted multiple Russian airbases on Sunday. The photos, taken on Wednesday by US commercial satellite imaging company Maxar Technologies and obtained by Business Insider, appear to show damaged and destroyed bomber aircraft at the Belaya airbase in Russia's central Irkutsk region, more than 2,500 miles from the Ukrainian border. Ukraine's internal security agency, known as the SBU, said it used small quadcopter-style drones to strike 41 Russian aircraft. The targeted aircraft included Russian A-50 airborne early warning and control planes, An-12 transport aircraft, Il-78 refueling tankers, and Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 bombers, the agency said. The SBU said the attack impacted a third of Moscow's strategic cruise missile carriers and caused over $7 billion in losses. Beyond Belaya, the operation known as Spiderweb, which was over 18 months in the making, struck three other airbases across Russia: Olenya in the Murmansk region, Dyagilevo in the Ryazan region, and Ivanovo in the Ivanovo region. Maxar's images also show what appear to be destroyed aircraft at the northern Olenya base. Imagery of the airbases captured in the days and weeks leading up to the attack shows that Russia had covered many of its bombers with tires and unidentifiable objects. Moscow also painted fake aircraft on the tarmac and used debris to create decoy planes. The extensive use of deception has long been seen as an attempt by the Russians to try to confuse Ukrainian weapons systems, like drones and missiles, that are hunting its aircraft. Moscow has used this tactic at its airbases throughout the war. A 'unique operation' The Ukrainian attack on the Russian bases was as audacious as it was complex and far different from any other deep strike Kyiv has carried out during the war. Planning for the operation started more than a year and a half ago, the SBU shared. The agency transported small, explosive-laden quadcopter drones to Russia, and those were followed by wooden containers that resemble shipping crates. On Russian soil, operatives hid the drones in the containers, which were placed on trucks and driven to positions near the different airbases. Then, on Sunday, the tops of the containers were remotely opened, and the drones simultaneously flew out to attack their targets in swarms, striking dozens of aircraft. Lt. Gen. Vasyl Malyuk, the SBU chief, called it a "devastating blow" to Russian aviation. Video footage obtained by BI showed several Russian aircraft burning after they had been hit by drones. The bombers, which can travel long distances and carry heavy payloads, have been used in devastating strikes against Ukraine, Kyiv said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 117 first-person view (FPV) drones and as many operators were involved in the operation, which was coordinated in a field office directly next to an FSB headquarters in one of the Russian regions. "Planning, organization, every detail was perfectly executed. I can say with certainty that this is an absolutely unique operation," Zelenskyy said. He added that the operatives left Russian territory before the attack and are safe. The attack further highlights how cheap drones have become an invaluable, asymmetric weapon of war with growing reach. Belaya is farther than any of Ukraine's previous long-range strikes inside Russia. BI could not independently verify all the reported details of the operation, including how many aircraft were damaged or destroyed. Russia's defense ministry has acknowledged the attack but downplayed its severity. It's unclear how the attack will impact the Russian bomber fleet in the short and long term. Experts have said that even taking out a handful of the aircraft could have significant implications on Moscow's strike campaigns, which have intensified in recent weeks. Zelenskyy said that "before this operation was carried out, we had intelligence indicating that Russia was preparing another massive strike."
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Ukraine Embarrasses Putin With Underwater Bomb Plot on His Beloved Bridge
Ukraine's security service, the SBU, carried out a fresh attack on the bridge connecting Russia with occupied Crimea, just days after launching a devastating surprise assault on airbases deep within Russian territory. Video footage shows smoke billowing over the Kerch Bridge following a powerful underwater blast, which the SBU said contained 1,100kg of explosives that 'severely damaged' its foundations. The Kerch Bridge was built in 2018 following Russia's annexation of Crimea four years prior. The bridge holds huge symbolic and sentimental value for Vladimir Putin, who views it as the embodiment of his goal to permanently bind Ukraine to Russia. The incident is the third time the bridge has been attacked since the start of the war. In October 2022, Ukrainian forces attempted to destroy it by detonating a truck full of explosives, which caused structural damage and set fire to part of the bridge. They tried again in 2023 with an experimental sea drone but only succeeded in causing minor damage. In both cases, Russia shut down the bridge and moved quickly to repair the damaged sections. In a post on Telegram announcing the new strike, SBU chief Lt. Gen. Vasyl Malyuk said: 'God loves the Trinity, and the SBU always brings what is conceived to the end and never repeats itself. 'Previously, we struck the Crimean Bridge twice in 2022 and 2023. So today we continued this tradition underwater. There is no place for any illegal Russian facilities on the territory of our state.' He added: 'Therefore, the Crimean Bridge is an absolutely legitimate target, especially considering that the enemy used it as a logistical artery to supply its troops. Crimea is Ukraine, and any manifestations of occupation will receive our tough response.' The bombs detonated at 4:44 a.m., causing the bridge to temporarily close. Pro-Ukrainian Telegram channel Crimean Wind reported it had been closed for inspection, possibly to examine damage, and it was reopened shortly afterward. At around 3 p.m., Crimean Wind reported the bridge had closed again, citing a 'powerful explosion' heard by locals and reports of a fresh drone strike from Ukraine. These claims have yet to be independently verified. The attack comes days after Ukraine launched a devastating surprise attack on Russia in which hundreds of drones destroyed a huge swath of the Kremlin's strategic bombers. Targeting five airbases deep within Russian territory, Ukraine's drones managed to destroy about 40 aircraft, around a third of Putin's fleet, totaling around $7 billion, including irreplaceable nuclear bombers and experimental craft. Announcing the news on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed he had personally overseen the surprise attack, nicknamed 'Operation Spider-Web,' which had taken more than 18 months to plan. Ukraine reportedly did not inform President Donald Trump's White House of the strike beforehand. 'We are doing everything to protect our independence, our state, and our people,' Zelensky wrote in a post on X. 'I outlined the tasks for the near term and also defined our positions ahead of the meeting in Istanbul on Monday.' Both Ukrainian and Russian officials met for peace talks in Istanbul on Monday but failed to make any progress in agreeing to a ceasefire.
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Satellite images show the extent of the damage after Ukraine's daring operation deep inside Russia
Satellite images analysed by experts have confirmed Ukraine's claim that it destroyed crucial elements of Vladimir Putin's air power during its surprise operation deep inside Russia earlier this week. The raid, codenamed Operation Spider's Web, took 18 months to plan and execute. Ukraine smuggled drones across the Russian border, hidden in trucks, which then drove to the sites of military bases. One penetrated as far as Siberia, more than 4000 kilometres away from the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. At a co-ordinated moment, the trucks released their drones, which then attacked while being controlled remotely. Ukraine pulled off the extraordinary operation with near-total secrecy, and all its operatives successfully made it back across the border. Even the United States, whose intelligence and military aid have been vital throughout the war, was not warned beforehand. 'Planning, organisation, every detail was perfectly executed. It can be said with confidence that this was an absolutely unique operation,' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said when it was over. In the immediate aftermath of the operation, Ukraine's security forces claimed to have taken out about a third of Russia's strategic bombers, partially crippling Putin's capacity to launch long-distance missile strikes. Lieutenant General Vasyl Malyuk, head of the Security Service, put the tally at 41 aircraft, encompassing both Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers. It turns out that was not even the full extent of the damage. According to American military correspondent David Axe (fitting name, no?), the Ukrainian attacks on Russian bases appear to have diminished Russia's already dwindling supply of A-50s – an expensive type of surveillance aircraft, equipped with a powerful radar, whose chief purpose is to co-ordinate operations involving fighter jets and bombers. When Putin first invaded Ukraine, in February of 2022, he reportedly had nine active A-50s. By February of this year, that had fallen to seven, or perhaps even fewer, as Ukraine claimed to have destroyed at least two of them. One of the air bases targeted in Operation Spider's Web, in Ivanovo Oblast, is known to have housed A-50 aircraft, as captured by satellite imagery last month. Another photographic image, taken after the attack, showed at least one of the craft damaged. A-50 AWACS base at Ivanovo via Mizar 🛰ï¸� At least 1 unit is destroyed possibly more — Húrin (@Hurin92) June 2, 2025 The reconnaissance planes are hard to replace, and the cost – hundreds of millions of dollars – is not the only problem. After the aforementioned pair were lost earlier this year, Ukraine said Russia was trying to replace their capability with drones, as a sort of stopgap measure. 'It's certainly plausible that Russians are scrambling drones to plug some of the gaps,' drone expert Steve Wright told Newsweek at the time. 'But it's certainly not a one-for-one replacement.' 'That is hard to replicate with drones which, even if equipped with radar, lack the size and power to provide comparable radar coverage,' agreed Frederik Mertens, an analyst at The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies. Satellite images from commercial firms have granted a valuable window into Ukraine-Russia war since Putin's invasion began. That these latest images show smouldering wreckage deep within Russia, though, is a fact that demonstrates the astonishing success of Ukraine's operation. Defence analysis website The War Zone this week reiterated its previous assessment that 'Russia would not have to lose very many bombers, as well as A-50s, to' suffer a significant negative impact. 'Even taking one or two bombers out of operation will impact the Russian Aerospace Forces. The bomber triad has played a key role in launching the barrages of cruise missiles that have regularly struck targets across Ukraine,' the site noted. 'At the same time, these aircraft are an integral part of Russia's nuclear deterrent. This makes them a matter of great prestige, but also a critical element in Russia's ability to launch nuclear or conventional air strikes against targets outside of Ukraine. 'These aircraft are also regularly used for long-range patrols over Europe and Asia, also venturing as far as the coast of Alaska, and for irregular visits to strategic allies. 'Wiping out a significant portion of one prong of the nuclear triad – the most flexible part of it – has an impact on the credibility of Russia's overall deterrent.'
Time of India
17 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Ukraine says it struck Crimea bridge
KYIV: Ukraine said on Tuesday that it had struck the Crimean bridge for the third time since the start of Russia's invasion, after spending months planting explosives on support structure beneath the water. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The extent of the damage was not immediately clear, but the Security Service of Ukraine, the intelligence agency known as the SBU, released a statement and a video that it said showed one of the detonations. "Today, at 4.44am, without any civilian casualties, the first explosive device was detonated," the agency said in a statement. "The underwater support pillars were severely damaged at the seabed level - aided by the equivalent of 1,100 kg of TNT." Surveillance footage released by the agency and verified by NYT shows an explosion under the Kerch Strait Bridge, which connects Russia's mainland and the Crimean peninsula. The attack appeared to target support features of the bridge. It was not clear how much damage the bridge sustained. A photo from the agency shows some damage to its railing. Traffic on the bridge was suspended for about three hours Tuesday morning, and then later in the day, about an hour after the SBU published its report, it was closed again for about two hours, according to the Telegram channel that tracks the bridge's operation. The reasons for the closures were not disclosed. The bridge reopened by late afternoon. The head of the SBU, Vasyl Malyuk, wrote in a statement that Russia had continued to use the bridge "as a logistical artery to supply its troops," making it a legitimate target. A Russian military blog, Rybar, run by a former Russian army service member, Mikhail Zvinchuk, said in a Telegram post that a Ukrainian underwater drone had attacked the bridge early Tuesday but that it had hit only a defensive barrier around one of the pylons. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The strike on the bridge came two days after Ukraine conducted one of the most ambitious operations of the war deep inside Russia, targeting the Russian strategic bombing fleet. The Kerch Strait Bridge stretches for 19km and is a primary supply route for Moscow's forces fighting in southern Ukraine. It is deeply symbolic for President Putin, who presided over its opening in 2018. In Oct 2022, a truck laden with explosives was detonated as it crossed the bridge, causing a fireball large enough to rupture fuel tanks on a passing train and setting it on fire. The blast pulled part of the roadway off its joints and into the sea. The Russians set about repairs, but 10 months later, the bridge was hit again, this using maritime drones to target support pillars.
