Adapted by:
Miguel Jorge
WriterJournalist. I've spent more than half of my life writing about technology, science, and culture. Before landing here, I worked at Telefónica, Prisa, Globus Comunicación, Hipertextual, and Gizmodo. I'm part of Webedia's cross-section team.
Karen Alfaro
WriterCommunications professional with a decade of experience as a copywriter, proofreader, and editor. As a travel and science journalist, I've collaborated with several print and digital outlets around the world. I'm passionate about culture, music, food, history, and innovative technologies.
On June 1, Operation Spiderweb—the covert attack Ukraine had prepared for 18 months—came to light. It was an unprecedented drone offensive on Moscow air bases. The lingering question since then has been the scope of the offensive. Many figures have circulated regarding the number of bombers affected, but the numbers vary by source. Now, satellite imagery offers an unambiguous picture of the damage.
AI precision. The offensive marked a turning point in the war, exposing the vulnerability of Russia’s most strategic aviation assets through space images and official videos. Coordinated by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), the operation used advanced drones equipped with AI algorithms. If they lost signal, the drones completed missions autonomously by following preprogrammed routes.
Explosive charges detonated automatically upon reaching targets. This capability combined technological autonomy with surgical precision, marking a new level of sophistication in unmanned warfare.
Cleanup of debris at Olenya air base began June 4.
Visual confirmation of damage. Initially, Ukrainian authorities claimed up to 41 aircraft had been destroyed, including Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 strategic bombers and A-50 early warning aircraft. However, The Washington Post confirmed at least eight Tu-95MSs and four Tu-22M3s were verifiably destroyed—a significant loss, even if lower than initial claims.
Close-up of two destroyed Tu-95MS bombers at Olenya.
Belaya. High-resolution satellite imagery of the Belaya air base shows the charred remains of three Tu-95MSs and four Tu-22M3s. All appear to have been located in active areas of operation, indicating they were functional units. In northern Russia, at Olenya, impact and fire marks confirm the destruction of at least five aircraft, including three Tu-95MSs and an An-12 transport plane.
According to The Post, experts from the Middlebury Institute and independent analysts identified patterns consistent with the total or severe destruction of the aircraft. Ukrainian drone videos show a line of Tu-95s parked before impact. Fires were also verified in areas where multiple Tu-22s had been visible until May 22, supporting claims that Belaya was the main target.
Olenya air base, shown after the drone strike, in imagery from June 4.
A blow to command capability. The strike also targeted A-50 early warning aircraft at the Ivanovo base. No conclusive images confirm destruction there, but videos show drones hitting these platforms, which were already in short supply before the war.
Of the nine active A-50s Russia had at the start of the invasion, at least two were destroyed and one damaged in Belarus. If more losses at Ivanovo are confirmed, it would seriously damage Russia’s airborne detection capabilities. These aircraft are scarce and extremely difficult to replace.
Damage still under review. Images from other bases, such as Dyagilevo and Ukrainka, show no clear damage. Still, minor shrapnel damage can’t be ruled out, as it’s not always visible from space. Some analysts mistook the placement of tires on aircraft wings—a Russian tactic to interfere with guidance systems—for scorched debris. Definitive confirmation will depend on future imagery. Moscow’s cover-up efforts and aircraft relocations could also hinder a clear analysis.
Many experts argue that had the destruction occurred, it would be difficult to conceal so quickly. This suggests the bases were likely attacked but did not sustain significant damage.
Military impact. Beyond the numbers, the attack’s relevance lies in its symbolic and strategic impact. The bombers were armed with Kh-101 cruise missiles and ready to strike Ukraine. Their destruction confirms their legitimacy as targets and highlights the vulnerability of the Kremlin’s most valuable—and most expensive—assets.
Since Russia has no practical way to replace the Tu-95MS or Tu-22M3—both of which are no longer in production—each loss delivers a permanent blow to its strategic aviation. Satellite evidence and SBU videos show drones striking missile-laden aircraft directly.
Repercussions and strategy. The strike forces Moscow to rethink the posture and dispersion of its bomber fleet. Going forward, these aircraft will have to operate from more distant and potentially less secure locations, reducing both their effectiveness and response time. The operation has caused visible unease among Russian aircrews, some of whom have started painting references to the destroyed bombers on their munitions.
This internal psychological response highlights the severity of the blow. The Ukrainian assault shattered the illusion of Russian strategic aviation’s invulnerability. It showed the world that even nuclear-capable bombers are not safe from precise, technologically advanced and asymmetric warfare.
Images | Dmytro Tolokonov (Unsplash) | Maxar Technologies
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