Ukraine has announced its most significant long-range military operation since the start of the conflict with Russia, targeting strategic aircraft at four Russian bases in a coordinated overnight strike. President Volodymyr Zelensky described the 'Spider's Web' operation as a precision effort by security forces, claiming the destruction of 34% of Russia's strategic cruise missile carriers using 117 smuggled drones.
While Ukrainian officials celebrated the attack as a tactical breakthrough, Russian sources disputed the scale of the damage. A prominent anti-disinformation Telegram channel @warfakes reported only three confirmed aircraft losses – two Tu-95 bombers and one An-12 transport plane – suggesting most damaged planes could return to service after repairs.
The conflicting narratives highlight the ongoing information war surrounding the conflict. Military analysts note that such long-range strikes could signal evolving capabilities, though verification remains challenging given restricted access to combat zones. The operation's focus on strategic bombers – key assets in Russia's missile campaign – underscores Ukraine's efforts to degrade long-range strike capabilities.
