Ukraine's Bold Move: Operation Spider Web Targets Russian Airfields Amid Peace Talks

Operation Spider Web Unleashed
Kyiv: Ukraine has initiated Operation Spider Web, executing extensive drone strikes aimed at multiple airfields deep within Russian territory.
This military operation coincides with planned peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine set to take place in Istanbul.
Reports indicate that Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) targeted at least 41 aircraft, which were allegedly involved in bombing Ukrainian cities. The aircraft included Tu-22 and Tu-95 strategic bombers, along with the A-50 radar detection and command aircraft.
The SBU claimed that the drone strikes inflicted damage on Russian military planes valued at $7 billion.
"$7 billion: This is the estimated cost of the enemy's strategic aviation, which was hit today as a result of the SBU's special operation," the agency stated on social media.
In response, Russia confirmed the attacks, asserting that they were successfully repelled in the Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions.
"No casualties were reported among military personnel or civilians. Some individuals involved in the attacks were apprehended," the Russian defense ministry announced on Sunday.
Additionally, it noted that drones launched from areas near military airfields in the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions caused several aircraft to ignite, but there were no injuries reported among military or civilian staff.
"Today, a brilliant operation was executed on enemy territory, focusing solely on military targets, specifically the equipment used to strike Ukraine. Russia has suffered significant losses, which are entirely justified and deserved. The preparation took over a year and a half, with meticulous planning and execution. This operation can be described as absolutely unique," stated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a post on X.
He revealed that a total of 117 drones were deployed in the operation, with an equal number of drone operators involved. Furthermore, 34% of the strategic cruise missile carriers stationed at air bases were reportedly struck.
"Our forces operated across multiple Russian regions, spanning three different time zones. It is genuinely gratifying to see the results of something I authorized a year and a half ago, which has deprived the Russians of over forty units of strategic aviation. We will continue this effort," he added.
The operation's planning involved intricate logistics, with drones secretly transported into Russia beforehand, concealed under the roofs of wooden cabins mounted on trucks, according to media reports.
When the time for the attack arrived, the roofs of these structures were remotely opened, allowing the drones to launch toward their designated targets.
Russia acknowledged that several of its aircraft "caught fire" during the attacks.
"As a result of the launch of FPV drones from territories near military airfields in the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions, several aircraft caught fire. The fires were extinguished," the Russian defense ministry's statement read.
Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine are set to hold the second round of direct talks in Istanbul on Monday.
This new meeting was announced on May 28 by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Rodion Miroshnik, the Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador at Large on Kyiv's War Crimes, criticized Ukraine, claiming that Kyiv is "destabilizing the situation" ahead of the Istanbul talks, which he deemed unacceptable.
Earlier on Sunday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the ongoing situation surrounding the Ukrainian crisis in a phone conversation, according to the Russian foreign ministry.
"Sergei Lavrov and Marco Rubio exchanged views on various initiatives for a political resolution to the Ukrainian crisis, including plans for resuming direct Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul on June 2," the statement concluded.