Ukraine's "Spiderweb" Operation: A Daring Drone Attack on Russian Air Bases
The video begins by recalling the context of the war in Ukraine, which has been ongoing for more than three years. The Donbass People's Republics have requested Russia's help, and Ukrainian President Zelenski called for assistance this morning. On June 1, 2025, spectacular videos show simultaneous attacks on Russian air bases, some located more than 6000 km from the Ukrainian border. This operation, codenamed "Spiderweb," is one of the most audacious clandestine operations of the 21st century.
The operation aims to destroy Russian bombers on their own soil using drones. Suicide drones, which are less expensive and more precise than missiles, have become a popular alternative in Ukraine. However, Ukrainian drones struggle to penetrate Russian defenses, particularly due to electronic jamming systems. This is where the SBU, the Ukrainian secret service, steps in, deciding to attempt a risky operation: infiltrating drones directly into Russia.
The SBU, initially not taken seriously, has been reformed and gained credibility through tactical successes. General Maluk, the new director of the SBU, identifies five Russian air bases to target. The operation requires drones capable of evading Russian radar. SBU engineers choose FPV quadcopters, civilian drones, and equip them with explosive charges to target the kerosene tanks of the bombers.
To remotely pilot the drones, the Ukrainians use the Russian 4G network, despite the risks of detection. They partially automate the drones' flight using ArduPilot, an open-source software, and train an AI to recognize the kerosene tanks of the bombers. The engineers use real models of bombers preserved in Ukraine to train the AI.
Infiltrating the drones into Russia is the riskiest part of the operation. The SBU uses garden sheds with solar panels to hide and transport the drones to the air bases. The drones are then piloted by the best Ukrainian pilots, who must avoid fire and detonate the warheads on the kerosene tanks.
On June 1, 2025, the attack is launched. The drones succeed in penetrating the perimeter of several air bases and destroying Russian bombers. Images of the attack circulate worldwide, and the SBU announces the destruction of more than 40 aircraft, although this figure is overestimated. Satellite images confirm the destruction of at least 12 aircraft, marking a major success for the SBU and sending a strong message to the world.
However, despite this victory, the war is far from over. Bombings resume with renewed intensity, and the euphoria in Ukraine is short-lived. Operation "Spiderweb" shows that even with limited means, a small motivated team can make a superpower tremble.