Ukraine has launched one of its most daring operations of the war so far striking deep inside Russian territory and claiming to have damaged or destroyed 41 military aircraft. Among them were strategic bombers and key planes that Russia heavily relies on to wage war against Ukraine aircraft that can’t be easily replaced.
The attack targeted multiple airfields across three time zones in what Ukraine’s security agency (SBU) called “Operation Spiderweb.” Drones were reportedly smuggled into Russia inside trucks disguised as regular vehicles. Hidden in mobile containers, the drones were released remotely, catching the Russians completely off guard. Video footage later showed large aircraft in flames, including long-range bombers and early warning planes.
Ukraine’s targets weren’t just any planes they were some of the most valuable and destructive tools in Russia’s arsenal. The list includes the Beriev A-50, a high-tech airborne radar and command center, as well as the Tupolev Tu-95, Tu-22M, and Tu-160 bombers all used to fire cruise missiles into Ukrainian cities.
The A-50 in particular is critical to Russia’s air superiority. Acting as a flying control tower, it tracks incoming aircraft, missile launches, and battlefield targets. These planes are rare and expensive — each estimated at around $300 million and Ukraine has already taken out a few during the war. With production halted for decades and no replacement program in full swing, each A-50 destroyed is a serious blow to Russia’s capabilities.
The Tu-22M, another target in the raid, is a Soviet-era missile carrier known for launching devastating attacks. It has fired Kh-22 missiles at cities like Odesa, causing significant destruction. Russia also lost Tu-95s Cold War bombers capable of carrying cruise missiles with either conventional or nuclear warheads and the Tu-160, a massive supersonic jet still used for long-range nuclear and conventional missions.
Ukraine’s intelligence chief estimated the cost of the damage at roughly $7 billion. While that figure hasn’t been independently verified, satellite imagery reviewed by analysts supports evidence of extensive destruction, including burned-out Tu-95s and Tu-22s. Around 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers at key airfields were reportedly hit.
These aircraft aren’t easy to replace. Production of the Tu-95 and Tu-22M ceased after the fall of the Soviet Union. While Russia is still building a few Tu-160s, progress is painfully slow — only two have been manufactured since 2022. Military experts say this makes the damage inflicted by Ukraine not just symbolic, but strategically devastating.
Even if only half of Ukraine’s claim of 41 aircraft holds true, the implications are massive. Russia’s ability to conduct large-scale cruise missile strikes against Ukraine and to project power globally would be seriously undermined. It also puts pressure on Russia’s already limited fleet for nuclear deterrence missions against NATO and other adversaries.
Ukraine’s security chief, Lt. Gen. Vasyl Maliuk, called the attack a clear message to Russia that impunity is over. “The enemy thought it could bomb Ukraine and kill Ukrainians endlessly and with impunity,” he said. “This is not the case. We will respond to Russian terror and destroy the enemy everywhere — at sea, in the air and on land.”
Although some analysts remain skeptical about the attack’s immediate impact on the battlefield, calling it unlikely to “move the needle” in terms of frontline combat, others see it as a major psychological and strategic victory. It shows Ukraine’s growing reach and technological sophistication and serves as a chilling wake-up call for other nations. Western military experts say such tactics could change the future of warfare.
Planning for the attack reportedly took over a year and a half. If confirmed, Ukraine’s ability to coordinate a strike of this scale simultaneously hitting four airfields deep inside enemy territory would mark one of the most effective uses of drone warfare in modern history.
And it’s not just about the planes. It’s a statement. A bold declaration that Ukraine isn’t just surviving. It’s striking back with precision, with patience, and with power.
Reference
Ukraine Strikes Deep: Daring Drone Assault Deals Devastating Blow to Russia’s Air Power