Ukraine's massive drone attack is considered as the Rusian "Pearl Harbour"
Ukraine executed operation “Spider-web”, a massive 117-drone strike against Russian air bases, hitting their longest attack
The code name "Spider-web" was the cover for conducting a massive drone attack against Russian military airbases, directed by Ukrainian military services. 117 aerial drones were smuggled on the backs of Russian trucks and attacked four air bases, including one deep inside Siberia, 2,500 kilometers away from Ukraine's border.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 40 Russian aircraft were hit. This represents 34% of Russia's cruise missile carriers, and according to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the attack cost an estimated $7 billion to the Kremlin. According to Russia's Defense Ministry, the suspects of the attack have been arrested. Some experts call it the "Russian Pearl Harbor."
Just a day before peace talks
The attack was just a day before the latest summit of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia this Sunday. After the attack, Ukraine sent its defense minister, Rustem Umerov, and Russia dispatched a Putin aide, Vladimir Medinsky. According to Zelenskyy, the two sides exchanged documents and were prepared for new prisoner exchanges.
Zelenskyy also said that each of the 117 drones has its own pilot. The four airbases attacked are Belaya, in Siberia; Olenya, in Murmansk; Dyagilevo, in Riazán; and Ivanovo, in the region of the same name. The operation took several months of preparation, and it's a response to the Russian bombing attack a few weeks ago.
Spider's web Modus operandi
According to a Ukrainian SBU source speaking to France24, the operation was prepared over 18 months. Ukraine regularly launches drones to strike specific targets in Russia. However, Spider-web has a different modus operandi. The source said that drones had been smuggled in wooden structures installed on trucks. These structures were opened remotely, allowing the drones to fly toward their targets.
Zelensky himself said on Sunday that Spider Web is the "longest-range operation" during the three years of invasion. Their attacks usually focus on areas close to its borders. The longest range was over 2,671 miles away from Ukraine, at the Belaya airbase. As a result, 41 bombers were destroyed. Despite the attack, it does not affect the development of the peace talks this Monday.
