Unmasking the "Operation Spiderweb": A Deep Dive into Ukraine's Brink-of-War Drone Attacks on Russian Air Bases
Counterintelligence Campaign: Code Name Spiderweb Unraveled - "Drone Assault under Operation Spidernet" - Insights into the Aerial Strikes
By Moritz Dickentmann* + - 4 Min* (Informal, Engaging)
Ukraine has claimed a significant victory in its ongoing war against Russia, thanks to a large-scale drone attack on several Russian military air bases. The breakthrough is said to have neutralized key strategic bombers, stationed far from the frontlines.
Eager for answers, let's delve into the details of "Operation Spiderweb" that have been disclosed so far.
What's the Lowdown on the Targeted Bases and Why?
Both Ukraine and Russia confirm that at least four air bases were targeted in this operation. These include the military bases of Dyagilevo, Olenya, Ivanovo Severny, and Belaya in Irkutsk's Siberian region, with another attack on Ukrainka reportedly thwarted. These air bases host strategic bombers used by Russia to launch devastating cruise missile attacks against Ukraine.
What's Damaged and How Bad Is It?
The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) claims that a total of 41 aircraft, including high-value models such as A-50, Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160, were destroyed or severely damaged by drones. The SBU estimates the damage to be over $7 billion, while Russia has supposedly lost roughly 34% of its strategic bomber fleet. However, such claims are yet to be independently verified.
Preliminary satellite images indicate that at least ten bombers might have been lost at the Belaya air base alone. Videos circulating on the internet suggest that several machines were destroyed or heavily damaged at the Olenya air base as well. Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's disinformation center, claims at least 13 aircraft were destroyed, with many more damaged.
Russian sources acknowledge that "several aircraft" were set ablaze by FPV drones on the Belaya and Olenya air bases. The extent of damage in the other bases is not yet clear, as the Russian Ministry of Defense has not provided specific details.
Russian military bloggers claim that several Tu-95 bombers were destroyed in the attack, echoing the circulating videos as evidence. "This is, in all honesty, very severe damage," they assert on Telegram.
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirms that a total of "117 drones and a corresponding number of drone pilots" were deployed in the operation.
SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk reports that the simultaneous drone attack took place in three time zones and was "extremely complex" logistically. The Russian side has yet to comment on the timeline of attacks.
What's Under the Hood of Operation Spiderweb?
According to President Zelensky, the "Operation Spiderweb" has been in the making for about a year and a half. The SBU confirms this in its statement, adding that Zelensky personally oversaw the operation.
Drones were reportedly smuggled into Russia and then concealed in rooftop storage areas of wooden huts across the region, according to Zelensky's Telegram post. The SBU further disclosed that these "offices" were strategically situated close to the Federal Security Service (FSB) headquarters in unspecified regions.
Videos published online purportedly show the drone storage facilities and their assembly before being transported to their launch sites by trucks. The warehouse is said to have been located in Chelyabinsk, prompting a search there on Sunday, as reported by Russian exile media "Meduza" and others. Hexogen traces were allegedly found in the premises.
All the operatives involved in the operation are reportedly back in Ukraine by now.
- Drone attack
- SBU
- Operation Spiderweb
- Russia
The Big Picture:
The "Operation Spiderweb" drone strikes on Russian military air bases represent a significant escalation in the conflict, showcasing Ukraine's increasingly sophisticated and daring asymmetric warfare capabilities. This ambitious and unprecedented operation has potentially exposed vulnerabilities in military installations worldwide, including those of the United States.
Sources:1. Die Welt2. New York Times3. CNN4. Insider5. Defense One
- The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive related to the analysis of the strategic implications of the "Operation Spiderweb" drone attacks on Russian air bases.
- The cutting-edge technology utilized in the drones during the "Operation Spiderweb" operation raises questions about the amount of cybersecurity safeguards in place to protect critical infrastructure from similar attacks in war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news scenarios.
- As the aftermath of the "Operation Spiderweb" reveals the devastating impact of such attacks, it's crucial to consider the potential role of politics and geopolitical maneuvers in influencing the release of information regarding the extent of the damages and the identity of those involved, shaping public opinion and international relations.
