Ukraine’s audacious drone assault on Russian air bases has left Moscow reeling. On June 1, 2025, Kyiv’s forces launched a meticulously planned strike, obliterating dozens of Russia’s prized strategic aircraft.
The operation, dubbed a “Russian Pearl Harbor” by pro-Moscow bloggers, signals Ukraine’s stubborn ingenuity in dealing devastating blows to Russia.
The New York Post reported that using first-person-view drones, Ukraine’s Security Service targeted four Russian airfields, destroying or damaging 41 aircraft, including nuclear-capable TU-95 bombers. The attack, codenamed Operation Spider’s Web, cost Russia an estimated $7 billion.
Planning began in December 2023, spanning 18 months of covert preparation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky personally oversaw the operation, with SBU Chief Vasyl Malyuk orchestrating the logistics.
The operation’s headquarters were brazenly located near Russia’s FSB secret police building.
Drones were smuggled into Russia, hidden in trucks with mobile wooden cabins. At the precise moment, cabin roofs opened remotely, unleashing the drones to strike airfields in Irkutsk, Murmansk, Ryazan, and Ivanovo. This high-tech ambush caught Russian defenses flat-footed.
“The SBU first transported FPV drones to Russia,” a source told the Kyiv Independent. Such ingenuity underscores Ukraine’s resolve to outsmart a larger foe. Yet, one wonders if this escalates an already volatile conflict.
Zelensky called the strike “Ukrainian actions that will undoubtedly be in history books.” Bold words, but history also remembers the cost of hubris. Kyiv’s gamble may inspire allies but risks Russian wrath.
The destroyed aircraft included TU-95 “Bear” bombers, TU-22 “Backfire” jets, and A-50 “Mainstay” command planes.
Ukraine claims over a third of Russia’s strategic bombers were wiped out. Many of these aging aircraft are no longer produced, making the loss a gut punch.
Russia’s TU-95s, once designed for nuclear payloads, now launch cruise missiles against Ukraine. Their destruction hampers Moscow’s long-range strike capability. Actions, it seems, have consequences.
The operation’s scale was staggering, with all personnel safely withdrawn from Russia before execution. A video and screenshot released by the SBU showcased the drones’ precision. Kyiv’s ability to pull this off under Moscow’s nose is no small feat.
The attack came just before potential U.S.-backed cease-fire talks in Istanbul on June 2, 2025. Kyiv did not inform the White House, a move that raises eyebrows. Trust, apparently, is in short supply.
Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, posted a spiderweb emoji on X before the strike, a cheeky nod to the operation’s codename.
Such bravado might rally supporters, but it complicates diplomacy. Ukraine demands a full Russian cease-fire, prisoner release, and return of abducted children for talks.
Russia rejected an unconditional cease-fire, countering with demands that Ukraine dismissed. “For a meeting to be meaningful, its agenda must be clear,” Zelensky posted on X. Negotiations, it seems, remain a distant hope.
Pro-Moscow bloggers likened the strike to Pearl Harbor, a comparison that highlights its psychological impact. Russia’s air force, already stretched, now faces a strategic setback. Kyiv’s strike proves smaller nations can land heavy blows.
