$7 billion blow: Ukraine’s SBU strikes 41 Russian bombers in operation Spider’s Web

According to SBU Chief Lieutenant General Vasyl Malyuk, the drone strikes damaged 41 aircraft, including A-50 radar planes, as well as Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 strategic bombers.

"The destruction of enemy bombers was a mission directly assigned to us by the President of Ukraine and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He personally oversaw the operation, which was planned and executed by the SBU. These aircraft were bombing our country almost every night — today, Russia felt the real consequences: retribution is inevitable. The SBU will do everything it takes to protect Ukraine and stop the Russian attacks," Malyuk emphasized.

Malyuk led the task force that spent over a year and a half preparing the operation, codenamed Spider's Web.

SBU drones successfully hit targets at four Russian air bases — Belaya, Dyagilevo, Olenya, and Ivanovo. The operation struck the largest number of Russian aircraft at once thanks to its coordinated execution.

“In total, 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers at their key air bases were damaged. This was not just a powerful blow to the enemy’s air force — it was a direct strike against Russia’s military power and its terrorist nature,” Malyuk said.

The estimated value of the destroyed strategic aircraft exceeds $7 billion.

According to Malyuk, Operation Spider's Web took place across three time zones and involved complex logistics.

The SBU first smuggled FPV drones into Russia, followed later by mobile wooden sheds. Once on Russian territory, the drones were hidden under the roofs of these sheds, which were loaded onto trucks. At the critical moment, the roofs were remotely opened and the drones were launched toward pre-designated targets — Russia’s strategic bombers.

"In accordance with the laws and customs of war, we struck entirely legitimate targets — military airfields and aircraft used to bomb our civilian cities. What we’re doing is real demilitarization of Russia — we're eliminating military threats. And we will keep striking for as long as Russia keeps terrorizing Ukrainians with missiles and Shahed drones," Malyuk stated.

He thanked all the SBU personnel involved in what he called a historic operation, adding that every participant is already safely back in Ukraine.

“The enemy thought it could bomb Ukraine and kill Ukrainians with impunity. But that’s not the case. We will respond to Russian terror and destroy the enemy wherever they are — at sea, in the air, on land. And if we have to, we’ll drag them out from underground,” Malyuk concluded.

• In a bold daylight operation on June 1, Ukraine’s Security Service launched a massive drone assault on Russian military airfields.