$2 Billion Blow: Ukraine’s “Spiderweb” Drone Operation Destroys Dozens of Russian Warplanes

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has successfully carried out a high-impact special operation deep within Russian territory, striking at the heart of Russia’s military-industrial infrastructure and severely damaging strategic aviation assets. The covert mission, code-named “Spiderweb,” targeted multiple high-value military sites and has reportedly caused over $2 billion in losses to Russia’s air force.

The Gaze reports on this with reference to FREEDOM, citing Ukraine’s Security Service.

According to security sources, long-range Ukrainian drones struck two critical defense factories overnight – the “Bazalt” plant in Chervonoarmiysk, Moscow region, and the “Splav” facility in Tula. 

These factories are central to the Russian war machine: “Bazalt” manufactures ammunition and weaponry for all branches of Russia’s armed forces, while “Splav” is the only Russian enterprise developing multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS).

Eyewitnesses reported at least seven explosions at the Bazalt site, followed by a major fire. The attack on Splav also triggered a large-scale blaze and thick smoke across the facility’s grounds.

The drone strikes were followed by unprecedented attacks on several airbases, including the strategic “Bila” airfield, as well as Shaykovka in Kaluga region and Kubinka in the Moscow region. The latter two house long-range bombers like the Tu-22M3 and fighter aircraft such as the Su-27 and MiG-29. 

Ukrainian sources claim more than 40 aircraft were either damaged or destroyed, including advanced models like the Tu-95 and the A-50 airborne early warning system, responsible for bombing Ukrainian cities.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that, unlike Russia’s indiscriminate strikes on civilian infrastructure, this operation focused strictly on military targets contributing directly to the Kremlin’s war of aggression.

“The SBU is effectively targeting military facilities that support the enemy’s armed aggression against Ukraine. Efforts to undermine Russia’s military capabilities will continue,” a Ukrainian intelligence source told the media.

The scale and precision of the operation forced Russian authorities to impose the “Kilim” counter-drone protocol across the Moscow region, resulting in the closure of several airports and cancellation of hundreds of civilian flights, triggering a regional transport disruption.