Ukraine’s audacious “Operation Spiderweb” struck deep into Russian air bases on Sunday, damaging or destroying over 40 military aircraft — including strategic bombers and airborne command jets — with low-cost, AI-assisted drones reportedly launched from wooden crates.

The attack, estimated by Kyiv to have caused $7 billion in damage, targeted key airfields in Irkutsk, Murmansk, Amur, and western Russia. It marked a major symbolic and operational blow to the Kremlin’s air force, demonstrating the reach and impact of modern asymmetric warfare.

Ukrainian drones, each costing under $1,000, were smuggled into Russia and guided by operators with AI fallback systems to avoid jamming. Satellite imagery confirmed the destruction of Tu-95 and Tu-22M bombers, which experts say are virtually irreplaceable due to discontinued production.

While Moscow disputes the damage, the strike’s scale underscores vulnerabilities even in hardened military zones. Tires placed on aircraft failed to confuse targeting systems, and shelters were notably absent.

Beyond the battlefield, the operation alarms Western nations. Drones’ ability to evade radar and mimic birds makes detection hard. Experts warn that vital infrastructure in the US and Europe remains exposed, urging urgent investment in anti-drone defences and dispersal tactics.

RAND’s Caitlin Lee emphasized the urgent need to adapt, saying, “The time is now.” Others noted parallels to early tank warfare — rapidly evolving, highly disruptive, and transformative.

While it remains unclear if the operation will significantly alter Russia’s air campaign, it temporarily disrupts strategic bombing and forces costly defensive upgrades.

The attack highlights Ukraine’s ingenuity and marks a new chapter in drone warfare — one where low-cost, high-impact strikes redefine modern conflict. As one analyst put it: “This is what future war looks like.”

Ukraine’s audacious “Operation Spiderweb” struck deep into Russian air bases on Sunday, damaging or destroying over 40 military aircraft — including strategic bombers and airborne command jets — with low-cost, AI-assisted drones reportedly launched from wooden crates.

The attack, estimated by Kyiv to have caused $7 billion in damage, targeted key airfields in Irkutsk, Murmansk, Amur, and western Russia. It marked a major symbolic and operational blow to the Kremlin’s air force, demonstrating the reach and impact of modern asymmetric warfare.

Ukrainian drones, each costing under $1,000, were smuggled into Russia and guided by operators with AI fallback systems to avoid jamming. Satellite imagery confirmed the destruction of Tu-95 and Tu-22M bombers, which experts say are virtually irreplaceable due to discontinued production.

While Moscow disputes the damage, the strike’s scale underscores vulnerabilities even in hardened military zones. Tires placed on aircraft failed to confuse targeting systems, and shelters were notably absent.

Beyond the battlefield, the operation alarms Western nations. Drones’ ability to evade radar and mimic birds makes detection hard. Experts warn that vital infrastructure in the US and Europe remains exposed, urging urgent investment in anti-drone defences and dispersal tactics.

RAND’s Caitlin Lee emphasized the urgent need to adapt, saying, “The time is now.” Others noted parallels to early tank warfare — rapidly evolving, highly disruptive, and transformative.

While it remains unclear if the operation will significantly alter Russia’s air campaign, it temporarily disrupts strategic bombing and forces costly defensive upgrades.

The attack highlights Ukraine’s ingenuity and marks a new chapter in drone warfare — one where low-cost, high-impact strikes redefine modern conflict. As one analyst put it: “This is what future war looks like.”