In the early hours of June 1, 2025, Ukraine launched one of the boldest military operations since the start of the war—a deep drone strike on multiple Russian airbases, reaching as far as Irkutsk in Siberia. Dubbed “Operation Spiderweb,” this attack was not just another battlefield maneuver—it signaled a dramatic shift in Ukraine’s strategic playbook.
Since the beginning of the Russia–Ukraine war, this is perhaps the biggest and most daring attack on Russian soil. But it raises many questions: Who was really behind it? Was Ukraine alone capable of executing such a massive operation? Or were there bigger players pulling the strings behind the scenes? In this article, I will answer all these questions and more.
What Happened: Operation Spiderweb Explained
According to Ukrainian intelligence sources and corroborated Western reports, the strike involved 117 kamikaze drones, mainly FPV-style units smuggled close to Russian targets in disguised trucks. These drones were launched simultaneously at five key airbases, hitting deep inside Russian territory—far beyond the frontline regions.
Engels Air Base (Saratov Oblast)—home to TU-95 and TU-160 bombers
Shaikovka Air Base (Kaluga Oblast)—known for TU-22M3 bombers
Ryazan region—location of Dyagilevo airfield
Kursk region—where multiple drone sightings were confirmed
Irkutsk region—a rare deep-strike target over 4,000 km from Ukraine
Germany’s defense ministry later confirmed that about 10% of Russia’s strategic bomber fleet was either destroyed or heavily damaged.
One side of Operation Spiderweb clearly highlights Ukraine’s tactical success, but on the other hand, it also exposes a major intelligence failure on Russia’s part. The fact that Ukrainian drones slipped past Russian defenses and struck key airbases shows just how vulnerable even Russia’s core military assets are. This attack isn’t just a loss for Russia—it’s a symbolic victory for Ukraine and, indirectly, for its Western allies like the EU and the US. It raises a crucial global question: Will Russia strike back with full force? In my opinion, this attack has changed the direction of the war, and I believe Russia will retaliate heavily.
Ukraine’s Strategy: Thinking Far, Flying Deep
This was not a random act of retaliation. Ukrainian officials revealed that Operation Spiderweb was a calculated mission, months in the making. The idea was to force Russia to feel the war at home, to shake the illusion that their skies are safe, and to undermine their long-range bombing ability, which has caused severe destruction in Ukrainian cities like Kharkiv and Kyiv.
Unlike earlier attacks using single drones, this was a coordinated swarm, with cheap, locally made drones becoming weapons of disruption.
Operation Spiderweb wasn’t just a military tactic—it was a smart, risky, and necessary move by Ukraine. Recently, NATO members pledged to allocate 5% of their GDP toward defense, a clear signal of their stance against Russia. Ukraine may have carried out this successful attack to send a strong message: “We are capable of handling Russia. We don’t need NATO troops to spend their lots of money—we just need your funding.” By proving its ability to strike deep into Russian territory, Ukraine may be aiming to position itself as a worthy and self-reliant partner in this war.
Russia’s Reaction: Retaliation and Damage Control
The Kremlin responded swiftly and furiously. Within 48 hours, Russian forces launched over 400 drones and 45 missiles at Ukrainian cities. Major explosions were reported in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Mykolaiv, leaving dozens injured and multiple power grids offline.
Meanwhile, panic briefly spread in Russia itself. Moscow’s airports (Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, and Vnukovo) halted operations as drones were reportedly spotted near the city’s airspace. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have intercepted several Ukrainian drones headed for central regions.
After Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb, it was almost certain that Russia would retaliate. What’s clear now is that Russia isn’t just defending its pride—it’s preparing to escalate. There were talks of a possible peace summit between Russia and Ukraine to be held in Istanbul, Turkey. But that summit has now been canceled, which only adds to rising global tensions.
Global Reactions: Tension, Warnings, and Support
NATO and EU leaders have remained cautious in their public statements, but military analysts are calling this one of the most tactically impressive and symbolically important Ukrainian moves of the war.
While the U.S. didn’t officially comment on whether its technology or intelligence was involved, several retired generals praised the mission as a “genius-level asymmetric warfare tactic.”
In my view, the international community is walking a tightrope. On one hand, Ukraine deserves praise for pulling off such a high-impact, low-cost mission that directly targets Russian military capabilities. On the other hand, there’s always the fear of escalation—especially when strikes start affecting Russian airspace far from the front. Instead of pressuring Ukraine to scale back, world powers should double down on smart support—more funding, more drones, and better tech—so Ukraine can continue its defense without spiraling the conflict out of control.
What This Means Going Forward
This event may mark a strategic turning point. With the destruction of several long-range Russian aircraft, Ukraine may have not only bought time for its civilians but also crippled Russia’s ability to project power far from the front lines.
Furthermore, it may signal a new phase in the war: one where distance is no longer a protection, and drones are the future of deep penetration warfare.
Looking ahead, I believe this won’t bring Russia to the negotiation table—not immediately. In fact, it might push them further into aggression before any talks happen. Ukraine, however, has clearly changed the nature of the battlefield, and that might eventually force a different kind of diplomacy. The next few weeks will reveal if this strike was a turning point or just the beginning of a much more dangerous phase of the war.
Conclusion: A New Chapter in Modern Warfare
“Operation Spiderweb” wasn’t just about explosions and damaged aircraft. It was about sending a clear message: Ukraine can strike wherever it chooses. This shift—both psychological and tactical—is likely to reshape not only how this war plays out but also how modern militaries around the world think about distance, defense, and deterrence.
Personally, I see this operation as a glimpse into the future of warfare—fast, tech-driven, and highly strategic. But it also raises concern: if one bold strike can escalate global tension this quickly, the world needs to prepare for a very different kind of conflict ahead. Let’s just hope this war finds an off-ramp before both sides push past the point of no return.
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