NATO: Ukraine’s “Spiderweb” Is Most Devastating Strike Yet on Russia’s Strategic Air Fleet
NATO officials have confirmed that Ukraine’s Security Service has dealt a severe blow to Russia’s strategic air capabilities through its recent special operation “Spiderweb,” targeting multiple Russian military airfields, The Gaze reports, citing European Pravda.
Speaking to reporters in Brussels on condition of anonymity, a senior NATO official called the mission “the most successful operation” to date against Russia’s strategic aviation. According to NATO’s own assessments, which closely align with Ukrainian estimates, at least 40 Russian aircraft were damaged, and between 10 and 13 were destroyed.
Among the destroyed or damaged aircraft identified by NATO are 15 Tu-95 strategic bombers, 20 Tu-22 bombers, and at least one A-50 airborne early warning aircraft — a particularly rare and valuable asset, as the Russian military possesses only a handful of them.
The operation, NATO estimates, eliminated 34% of Russia’s missile carrier fleet. “This has a critical impact on Russian capabilities,” the official stressed, noting that the losses will significantly reduce Russia’s ability to launch missile strikes, including early-morning salvos that have become a grim routine for Ukrainian civilians.
The official acknowledged that some of the destroyed planes may have been non-operational or used as sources of spare parts, but emphasized that the strategic implications remain significant. “We cannot confirm all of them were fully mission-capable, but this certainly weakens Russia’s strike potential.”
As The Gaze previously reported, Ukraine’s Security Service 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.