Details are emerging about how the Ukrainian attack on at least four Russian air bases was organized early Sunday morning, destroying more than 40 Russian fighter jets, according to the Ukrainian side.
According to sources in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the operation is codenamed “Spider’s Web” and was planned in secrecy for a year and a half, under the direct supervision of Volodymyr Zelensky himself.
In fact, Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, made an apparently relevant reference to his country’s massive drone operation. Yermak posted a spider web emoji on both his Telegram and X channels on Sunday, in an apparent reference to the name of the attack.
NEW: Ukrainian SBU’s Operation “Web” Took 1.5 Years to Prepare Ukraine’s SBU spent over 18 months planning the massive “Web” operation that struck 41 Russian strategic aircraft today. President Zelensky personally oversaw the mission, with SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk leading Εμφάνιση περισσότερων
Drones in wooden containers
According to the same sources, the first wave of FPV drones was sent to Russian territory, followed by mobile wooden containers. Once they arrived on Russian soil, the drones were hidden in these containers, which were placed on trucks.
At the time of the attack, the containers were opened by remote control, allowing the drones to take off and strike nearby air bases. A video circulating in Ukrainian media shows drones emerging from the roof of such a container.
Damages exceed $7,2 billion
The Ukrainian side estimates that the damage caused to the Russian bases exceeds $7,2 billion. Among the targets hit were TU-95 strategic bombers, TU-22M3 hypersonic bombers, as well as A-50 early warning aircraft, which are critical for the operational capabilities of the Russian air force.
In another development, the commander of Ukraine’s ground forces, Major General Mykhailo Drapati, has resigned. His decision came hours after a Russian ballistic missile attack on a Ukrainian military training camp killed 12 soldiers. Drapati’s resignation is seen by some as a sign of taking responsibility at a time of heavy military casualties.
Moscow accuses Kiev of “terrorist attack”
For its part, the Russian Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of a “terrorist attack” against airports in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan and Amur regions, according to the Interfax news agency.
It claims that all attacks on the airports were repelled and that some of the participants in the attacks were arrested. The Russian Defense Ministry stressed that several aircraft caught fire after the attacks. It also reported that the fires were extinguished and that there were no casualties.
On Monday, June 2, in Turkey, the Ukrainian Defense Minister
Meanwhile, the diplomatic background continues. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that Defense Minister Rustem Umerov will participate in peace talks with Russia to be held in Turkey.
During a meeting, Zelensky outlined the country’s positions ahead of the meeting in Istanbul. Ukraine will come to the dialogue demanding, first, a complete and unconditional ceasefire, second, the release of prisoners, and third, the return of abducted children. In his post, Zelensky will state that the Ukrainian Defense Minister will request preparations for a meeting between himself and Vladimir Putin. As he says, “the main issues can only be resolved by leaders.”
On the afternoon of Sunday, June 1, it became known that the Russian delegation had left for Istanbul.
