Several airbases hosting Russia's strategic aviation were subjected to a major drone attack. Particularly, the attacks were carried out on the airbases of «Olenya» (Murmansk region), «Belaya» (Irkutsk region), «Ivanovo» (Ivanovo region), and «Dyagilevo» (Ryazan region). According to a source from BBC News’ Ukrainian service, this was a special operation named «Spider's web» executed by the SBU (Security Service of Ukraine), which, according to preliminary calculations, inflicted a damage of approximately 2 billion dollars on Russia. About 34 percent of the strategic missile carrier bomber fleet was destroyed.
The destroyed Tu-22 and Tu-95 bombers cannot be restored, as Russia no longer produces them. The value of each destroyed aircraft amounted to several million dollars.
«The SBU conducted a wide-scale special operation to destroy the enemy aviation deep within Russian territory. The SBU's drones targeted the airplanes that were bombarding our cities every night. So far, it is known that more than 40 aircraft have been hit, including types A-50, Tu-95, and Tu-22 M3,» — reports the source.
According to Russian media, Ukrainian drones were launched from the back of a truck parked near Russian airbases in a «guerrilla» fashion.
«Belaya» airbase is located in Siberia, almost 4,500 km away from the Ukraine border. The «Olenya» airfield is situated in the Murmansk region, approximately 1,700 km from Ukraine.
«Spider's Web» operation participants' «office» was directly close to the FSB headquarters in one of Russia's regions, — said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his evening address.
According to his words, the operation used 117 drones and destroyed 34 percent of the strategic winged missile carriers located at Russian airbases. Zelensky also emphasized that the operation participants have already left Russian territory and are currently in a safe place.
According to reports, the preparation for this special operation by the SBU took over a year and a half.
The US was not previously informed about the mass drone attack on Russian airbases.
Abdulloh Sayyid
