Sources indicate that the Ukrainian drone attack on Russian warplanes, dubbed “Operation Spider’s Web,” was planned over 18 months, with the Pentagon unaware until after its completion.

This coordinated series of drone strikes deep within Russia reportedly damaged or destroyed numerous Russian bomber jets and surveillance planes at five military airfields.

The operation was reportedly under the personal supervision of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to Ukraine’s security service (SBU).

Reports indicate Ukraine concealed drones within wooden structures mounted on trucks. Upon reaching their destinations, the truck roofs opened remotely, launching the drones.

Social media footage purportedly showed drones launching from trucks and hitting aircraft on runways.

An official on X hailed the operation as “an absolutely brilliant result” “achieved solely by Ukraine.”

The official stated that the mission took “one year, six months, and nine days from the start of planning to effective execution”, describing it as “our most long-range operation.” They added that “our people involved in preparing the operation were withdrawn from Russian territory in time” and thanked General Vasyl Maliuk, head of the SBU, for its success.

Zelensky acknowledged that certain details remained undisclosed but emphasized the historical significance of the “Ukrainian actions,” asserting Ukraine’s right to self-defense.

Russia’s defense ministry acknowledged attacks on airfields in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan and Amur regions.

Russia condemned the strike as a “terrorist act” but claimed its forces successfully defended against it. The ministry did concede that several aircraft sustained fire damage, and Russian officials reported arrests of suspected individuals.

Reports indicate 117 drones were deployed in the attacks.

The SBU asserted that the strikes impacted 34% of Russia’s strategic bomber fleet, estimating damages at $7 billion. BBC Monitoring cited other Ukrainian experts with a lower estimate of $2 billion, though these figures remain unverified.

The attacks occurred just before planned peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul, supported by Turkey, according to BBC reporting.

Ukraine aims to secure a full ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, and the return of children taken to Russia, terms yet to be agreed upon by Russia.

The White House confirmed that the Trump administration received no advance notice of the attack. The Biden Administration, initially not in contact with Ukrainian officials post-operation, received a full briefing and subsequent updates, according to a senior defense official.

U.S. officials characterized the attack as highly sophisticated and expressed uncertainty about whether the quadcopter drones, pre-positioned in Russia and then loaded onto trucks, were remotely piloted or autonomous.

U.S. officials expressed skepticism regarding claims of up to 50 Russian bombers being hit, suggesting a more likely range of 11 to 15, potentially across five Russian airfields.

Military analysts suggest the raid has weakened Russia’s capacity for long-range missile attacks. Among the bombers impacted were TU-95 and TU-22M3 aircraft, previously used in strikes against Ukraine.

Ukraine also claimed to have damaged a Russian A-50 radar aircraft, used for directing Russian air operations.

BBC weapons analyst Chris Partridge noted that launching drones from within Russia gave air defenses such as the S-300 and S-400 minimal reaction time.

The White House has not yet responded to requests for further comment.

‘ Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.

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