On Sunday, June 1, 2025, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) launched a large-scale special operation codenamed Pawutyna (Ukr. Павутина, Eng. Spider’s Web), targeting Russian strategic aviation on Russian territory. Interestingly, the date of the attack coincides with Russia’s Transport Aviation Day, and the operation was reportedly in preparation for 1 year, 6 months, and 9 days.
Photo: Internet
According to information from Ukrainian media citing sources within the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Ukrainian drones targeted Russian air bases as part of the operation, including:
- Olenegorsk-Vysokiy (Olenya) in Murmansk Oblast (2,000 km from the Ukrainian border),
- Belaya in Usolsky District of Irkutsk Oblast (4,700 km from the Ukrainian border),
- Ryazan-Dyagilevo in Ryazan Oblast (700 km from the Ukrainian border),
- Ivanovo-Severny in Ivanovo Oblast (900 km from the Ukrainian border).
Reportedly, over 40 Russian aircraft were damaged in the operation (the number 41 is mentioned), including Tu-95MS strategic bombers, long-range Tu-22M3 bombers, and Beriev A-50U/M airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. (Although this figure may be exaggerated—it likely refers to the number of intended targets.)
The attacks were carried out using, among other means, FPV drones launched from trucks positioned near the targets. These drones were smuggled into Russian territory, and their operators had been stationed inside the country for some time. Sources claim the operation was personally overseen by SBU chief Gen. Vasyl Maliuk, with the objective of destroying key aviation infrastructure deep inside Russia.
There were also reports of an explosion at the Severomorsk naval base in Murmansk Oblast.
It has been reported that the fifth intended target of Operation Spider’s Web was the Ukrainka airbase in Amur Oblast, in Russia’s Far East. However, the truck carrying FPV drones did not reach the area, and its burned trailer was found near the village of Seryshevo. According to reports, 116 out of 150 drones were launched, carrying a total of 300 munitions. The drones were controlled via the Russian GSM network.
A particular success was the strike on Olenya airbase, where fuel tanks were hit and a large number of aircraft were reportedly damaged. According to media reports, the SBU trained an artificial intelligence system to control drones capable of identifying Russian aircraft and executing automated dive attacks.
Based on video evidence, two Tu-95MS bombers were destroyed and two others damaged at Olenya, along with a single An-12 transport aircraft destroyed. At Belaya airbase, three Tu-95MS bombers and two Tu-22M3 bombers were reportedly damaged.
UPDATE
According to satellite images of the Belaya airbase, three Tu-95MS bombers, one Tu-22M3 bomber, and three other unidentified aircraft were destroyed, while one Tu-95MS was damaged. Meanwhile, at Olenya airbase, based on video footage, three Tu-95MS bombers, one unidentified aircraft, and one An-22 transport aircraft were destroyed. This brings the total to six Tu-95MS bombers, one Tu-22M3, and one An-22 destroyed, along with four unidentified aircraft damaged and one additional Tu-95MS damaged.
UPDATE 2
According to further satellite imagery, four Tu-95MS and four Tu-22M3 bombers were destroyed at the Belaya airbase, while a fourth destroyed Tu-95MS and another Tu-22M3 were identified at Olenya. This means that the Ukrainians destroyed a total of eight Tu-95MS bombers, two Tu-22M3 bombers, one An-22 transport aircraft, and one unidentified aircraft. According to unconfirmed reports, one A-50U/M early warning aircraft was also damaged or destroyed.
Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk delivered a report regarding today’s operation. An absolutely brilliant result. A result achieved solely by Ukraine. One year, six months, and nine days from the start of planning to effective execution. Our most long-range… pic.twitter.com/oN41NFYyfw
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 1, 2025
More footage of burning Russian aircraft after the attack.
There have been reports that up to 40 Russian military aircraft may have been hit in the attack carried out in the special operation by Security Service of Ukraine.
A-50, Tu-95 and Tu-22 aircraft are reportedly among… pic.twitter.com/ukhHUXivB0
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) June 1, 2025
A powerful explosion is reported in Russian Severomorsk.
Submarines with nuclear weapons are based there.
Upd. According to other reports, it might be Olenegorsk, near Olenya airfield. pic.twitter.com/xRCMVwsVvQ
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) June 1, 2025
This is reported as the truck from which drones took off to attack Russian airfields. pic.twitter.com/ol6aHCw13U
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) June 1, 2025
Reportedly, this is Belaya airfield, Irkutsk region of Russia.
In terms of cost-efficiency ratio, Ukraine's operation on June 1, 2025, is unprecedented. A single FPV drone can cost as little as $300 to $600. Russia's modernized Tu-95MS strategic bomber is valued at more than… https://t.co/IQePZDWZQH pic.twitter.com/0EplbpVNs7
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) June 1, 2025
"It's all fu**ed up, fu**ed up," – a Russian soldier shows the attack on a Russian airfield. pic.twitter.com/QNwy0tDIbz
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) June 1, 2025
⚡️Preparation footage: Today's special operation "Web" was prepared for more than a year and a half – 41 russian aircraft were hit, – the media reports.
The operation was extremely complex from a logistical point of view. First, the SSU sent FPV drones to russia, and then mobile… pic.twitter.com/z9BqUOeVGz
— BLYSKAVKA (@blyskavka_ua) June 1, 2025
✈️✈️✈️🤩🤩🤩 pic.twitter.com/XeI5i8Bd39
— MAKS 25 🇺🇦👀 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) June 1, 2025
Russian man enters one of Ukraine’s drone trucks.
Moments later, the trucks self-destruction mechanism ignites and the truck explodes. pic.twitter.com/vXsokRvDOb
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) June 1, 2025
Another drone filled truck that was used in the Ukrainian operation "Web" in the Amur region did not reach its target & burned down on the highway near the village of Seryshevo. Its target might have been the Ukrainka Air Base geolocated at at 51.168858290721, 128.447482880561 https://t.co/eq2w4cnGTO pic.twitter.com/1pZDTJ87OE
— raging545 (@raging545) June 1, 2025
