Ukraine has successfully executed a far-reaching drone operation against Russian strategic air bases, with new satellite imagery confirming the destruction of eight key bombers, in what even Russian military bloggers have described as a “brilliantly executed” and “perfectly timed” strike.
According to Ukrainian officials, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) coordinated an operation called Spider’s Web, deploying 117 strike drones deep into Russian territory. These drones targeted critical air bases including Ballaya, Oenia, Diagalevo and Ivanovo. Notably, the Oenia airfield sits nearly 1,800 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, highlighting the sophistication and precision of Kyiv’s long-range capabilities.
The Ballaya air base, located a staggering 4,400 kilometres from the front line, saw the confirmed destruction of four Tu-22M3 long range bombers and four Tu-95MS strategic aircraft. Satellite images verified by analyst Chris Biggers using synthetic aperture radar showed at least three of the bombers were housed in reinforced shelters at the time of the strike, with wreckage confirming they are beyond repair. Each Tu-22M3 is valued at approximately £26 million (3 billion rubles), making this a devastating financial and strategic loss to the Russian aerospace forces.
This marks the largest redeployment and subsequent loss of Russian strategic aviation assets since the full-scale invasion began. Moscow had recently moved about 40 Tu-22M3 bombers and nearly 20 percent of all Tu-95MS bombers to the Oenia airfield, reportedly in preparation for a massive escalation targeting Ukrainian command centres, infrastructure, and energy hubs if peace negotiations faltered.
The Kremlin, according to insiders, was preparing to end the active combat phase with a brutal show of force, excluding only nuclear weapons. The goal was to force Kyiv to accept a heavily one-sided memorandum that includes demands such as ceding four Ukrainian regions, banning Western military aid, and recognising Crimea and occupied Donbas as part of Russia.
The failed deterrence has instead shown Russia’s vulnerability. Of the strategic cruise missile carriers attacked, 34 percent were reportedly damaged or destroyed. The scale of the assault has disrupted Russia’s ability to conduct long range aerial bombardments and is expected to affect the frequency of attacks on Ukrainian territory.
The operation also exposed shocking security flaws at Russian bases. Footage released by Russian bloggers traced the drone launches back to a commercial container facility in Chelyabinsk, rented for under £3,500 (350,000 rubles) per month.
Meanwhile, the Kramatorsk sector in Donetsk remains under intense pressure. Ukrainian defence forces repelled five Russian assaults and eliminated several Russian assets including a BM-21 Grad system and anti-aircraft units. Civilian areas were not spared – recent drone strikes injured three people, including a child, and cut power for 850 residents.
In Washington, the White House press secretary avoided giving a full-throated endorsement of Ukraine’s precision strike, instead reiterating that US President Donald Trump seeks peace negotiations. Trump’s non-committal response was met with scepticism, given his history of soft rhetoric toward the Russian dictator.
A retired US Marine and cousin of US Vice President JD Vance, Nate Vance, currently volunteering on Ukraine’s frontlines, praised the Ukrainian fighters’ technical acumen and thirst for tactical knowledge. He highlighted Ukraine’s unmatched use of drones as “miniature artillery pieces,” revolutionising battlefield awareness and targeting without reliance on voice communication.
The Kremlin’s proposed ceasefire terms – seen by Kyiv as a thinly veiled ultimatum – would require Ukraine to abandon its sovereignty, military partnerships and territory, while receiving nothing in return. Ukraine continues to reject these demands and presses forward, supported by a committed and technologically capable defence force.
