Inside Operation “Spider Web”: Unpacking Ukraine’s Bold Mission Deep in Russian Territory

By 24matins.uk,  published 2 June 2025 at 9h21.

Tl;dr

  • Ukrainian drones struck Russian bases far from frontlines.
  • Operation used concealed drones smuggled deep into Russia.
  • Symbolic blow, but real military impact remains unverified.

    • Unprecedented Strikes Deep Within Russia

    While international attention focused on the anticipated talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, early June took a sharp turn. On June 1, 2025, Ukrainian security services launched a daring operation—codenamed « Toile d’araignée »—targeting key Russian military aviation assets well outside typical combat zones. The scale and reach of this action surprised even seasoned analysts.

    According to sources within the SBU, as many as 41 aircraft may have been affected. This roster reportedly included strategic bombers like the Tu-95 and Tu-22, alongside A-50 early warning planes—machines allegedly intended to « bombarder les villes ukrainiennes ». For a country currently struggling with its adversary’s overwhelming numbers at the front, such a strike delivers an undeniable message.

    Ingenuity Behind Enemy Lines: Drones and Deception

    What set this raid apart was not merely its reach, but its method. Ukrainian operatives did not launch their drones from home soil. Instead, they discreetly transported small aerial vehicles across the border, hidden within wooden structures mounted on trucks or inside shipping containers. Only once these convoys approached their targets did remotely operated roofs slide open, unleashing the drones.

    This tactic caught the Russian Ministry of Defense off guard. Officials confirmed that « les drones n’ont pas été lancés depuis l’Ukraine, mais près des aérodromes visés ». Visual evidence released by the SBU showcased remarkable inventiveness—camouflage and logistics intertwined in ways rarely seen in this conflict.

    A Record-Breaking Reach—and Its Symbolic Weight

    The targets weren’t just nearby airfields: bases as distant as Olenia, some 1,900 km away, and even further at Belaïa, over 4,300 km from Ukraine’s border, were reportedly struck. President Volodymyr Zelensky heralded this feat as « plus longue portée jamais atteinte par nos services ». Elsewhere in Russia—regions like Ivanovo and Riazan—the government said it had thwarted other attempts.

    In a statement admitting the damage, Moscow acknowledged that « plusieurs appareils ont pris feu », but insisted fires were swiftly controlled and no casualties reported. Authorities claim several suspects are now detained.

    An Open Question: Real Impact vs. Symbolism?

    Though Ukrainian officials have estimated that up to 34% of Russia’s strategic bombers were destroyed—a loss supposedly totaling around $7 billion—independent verification is currently lacking. Nonetheless, for Kyiv’s forces struggling at the frontline, the psychological significance is immense: a demonstration that reach and resolve remain undiminished.

    As former president Petro Porochenko put it: « Aucun meilleur argument à présenter avant Istanbul ». Whether this operation truly shifts the balance of power remains uncertain—but both capitals now face new calculations in what has become an increasingly unpredictable conflict.