A well-planned and carefully executed Ukrainian drone operation, carried out on June 1 and codenamed “Spider’s Web” (or Pavutyna in Ukrainian), managed to deal a severe blow to Russia’s ability to conduct strategic airstrikes on Ukrainian territory. The operation hit four Russian military airfields – in the regions of Belaya, Diaghilev, Olenia, and Ivanovo – causing severe damage to more than 40 Russian aircraft (13 were destroyed, according to Kiev), including the strategically important A-50, Tu-95, and Tu-22M3.

According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Ukrainian operation targeted aircraft used by Moscow to launch cruise missiles against Ukrainian infrastructure, as well as A-50 early warning and control aircraft, which are crucial for detecting Ukrainian air defense systems and coordinating Russian fighters.

Forced redeployment of Russian air defence

The ISW report notes that the Ukrainian attack may force Russia to redeploy its anti-aircraft forces to cover a larger geographic area, increasing pressure on existing systems. At the same time, it may lead to the creation of mobile air defense units that can respond more directly to new drone attacks.

Analysts point out that Russia systematically uses the Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers to launch Kinjal (Kh-101/555 and Kh-59/69) missiles. The destruction or damage to these aircraft is a significant blow to its operational capability. Indeed, it will be recalled that the shooting down of a Russian A-50 the previous time had already limited Moscow’s air activity over Ukraine.

Long preparation, high supervision

Preparation for the operation took over a year and a half, with thepersonal oversight of Volodymyr Zelensky. The planning and execution were coordinated by Vasil Malyuk, head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), Vasil Malyuk and his team.

According to the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform, the operation not only succeeded in hitting critical military infrastructure but also conveyed the message that Ukraine is capable of reaching deep inside Russian territory by effective means, even without the use of manned assets or Western support.

At the same time, it gave Kiev time to regroup its forces and offered it a bargaining chip ahead of a second round of talks with the Russians on Monday afternoon in Istanbul.

Difficult to replace losses for Russia

ISW analysts stress that Russia will find it very difficult to replace aircraft that were severely damaged or destroyed. Building and maintaining strategic aircraft is time-consuming, costly and dependent on hard-to-find components, many of which are no longer accessible due to international sanctions.

As a result, the June 1 operation is probably Ukraine’s most significant military success in the air in months and may bring a critical window of relative air relief for Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.

At $7 billion in losses for Moscow

At least 13 Russian aircraft were destroyed and even more damaged as a result of a special operation by Ukraine’s security service at at least four Russian air bases.

This particular update was provided on Telegram by Andrei Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.

“At least 13 Russian aircraft were destroyed and even more were damaged in the marshes, Kovalenko noted.

It will be recalled that on Sunday, the Security Service of Ukraine conducted a unique special operation “Web” (Pavutyna in Ukrainian), in the framework of which it struck four Russian airports in the regions of Belya, Diaghilev, Olenia, and Ivanovo.

According to an intelligence source, more than 40 aircraft were hit, including A-50s, Tu-95s, and Tu-22 M3s. The estimated cost of the destroyed aircraft is seven billion dollars.