Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) “Spiderweb” operation damaged and also destroyed $7 billion of “combat ready” aircraft and what has been dubbed a “brilliant” attack.
Aviation expert Valerii Romanenko said it is unlikely Ukraine will be hit with a massive missile attack anytime soon, RBC-Ukraine reported.
He said the successful attack on four Russian military airfields which is a “serious blow” to Vladimir Putin’s “strategic aviation” as around a third has been destroyed.
Romanenko said, “There are a third fewer (of aircraft now, — ed.). Because they (SBU – ed.) struck those aircraft that were operational and combat-ready.
“The planes that are parked at storage bases are fuelled. And each strike was accompanied by an explosion of orange flames, indicating the burning of aviation fuel, kerosene, along with a huge explosion and a long column of smoke.
“This means that it is the aviation fuel itself that is burning,”
The aviation expert said Putin’s warplanes were combat ready and were fully fuelled.
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🕸️ Operation Spiderweb – On June 1, 2025, Ukraine redefined the future of warfare. In a historic drone strike, 117 FPV drones launched from within Russian territory hit 5 airbases, damaging or destroying strategic bombers. A thread 🧵⬇️#Russia #UkraineRussiaWar Molotov… pic.twitter.com/MzxkQYF2qM— Anmol (@anmol_kaundilya) June 2, 2025
He added, “Even if the number is smaller, with reports of around 13 aircraft, it is still a serious blow to the Russian strategic aviation.
“They are unlikely to be able to carry out such massive strikes as before, both today and in the near future, or to simultaneously deploy nine Tu-95MS bombers into the air.
“As for the Tu-22M3 planes, they are generally too far away and won’t be able to participate in combat missions.
“Only one squadron remains in Mozdok, which, a couple of weeks ago, launched just a single Kh-22 missile at Ukraine. In other words, their capabilities there are extremely limited.”
SBU Head Vasyl Malyuk said, “In total, this involved damage to 34% of the strategic cruise missile carriers at Russia’s main deployment airfields. This was not just a devastating blow to the enemy’s aviation but a serious slap to the power and terrorist nature of the Russian Federation.”
