5 ways Ukraine's 'Spider Web' drone attack changes the rules of war

On Sunday, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) officially confirmed that it carried out major drone strikes against Russian military airfields , under what they called Operation Spider Web . Moscow eventually confirmed that five of its airfields were damaged by the Ukrainian attack.

While giving an update on the operation, SBU noted that the latest strike has resulted in an estimated $7 billion in damage – a figure that has not yet been independently verified. “Seven billion US dollars. This is the estimated cost of the enemy’s strategic aviation, which was hit today as a result of a special operation by the SBU – ‘Spiderweb,’” the agency said in a statement released Sunday, June 1.

The operation not only rocked Russia but also made the world know that the landscape of modern warfare has completely changed. Now, the countries don’t rely on battle tanks; it is the drones and the use of Artificial Intelligence that have taken over and changed the war games. Here are five ways Ukraine managed to change the rules of warfare through Operation Spider Web.

5 ways Ukraine’s Strike Changed the War Games

• Puts focus on precise planning, more than precise strikes:

Operation Spider Web reflected how the Ukrainian authorities took their time in planning out the strike, putting more emphasis on planning than precision. In his post on X, Zelenskyy lauded the operation, revealing that the preparation took over a year and a half.

“Planning, organisation, every detail was perfectly executed. It can be said with confidence that this was an absolutely unique operation,” the Ukrainian leader said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

• Trade routes can be weaponised.

According to the report by Kyiv Post, a specialised drone called FPV was smuggled into Russia along with mobile wooden cabins.

Drones were smuggled into Russia and were unleashed from trucks. The cabins were then carried by trucks with the drones hidden inside. The cabin roofs opened remotely, and then the drones took off and zoned in on the nearby bases to conduct the attacks. This indicated how both nations can smuggle tactical weapons into each other’s territories.

• Drones have a range of missiles:

The drones that were smuggled into Russia hit bases as far away as Siberia and the Far East. This reflected how drones used in the operation ultimately had a range well beyond the range of conventional Ukrainian drones or ballistic missiles.

• Cost-benefit advantage:

Drones destroyed 41 aircraft worth millions of dollars that carry cruise missiles and detect enemy planes. Ukraine claims it hit $7 billion worth of Russian military planes in a drone attack.

What is interesting about this operation is the fact that the operation incurred an extremely low cost than the damage it incurred. Ukraine has been asking for military aid from its allies, and operations like these put Ukraine in an advantageous position.

• Secrets can’t protect assets

Ukraine targeted top-secret strategic bombers, reflecting how Russia couldn’t keep its crucial bombers hidden from Ukraine. In his post on X, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine also had its camps in Russian territory and especially near FSB headquarters. “What’s most interesting, and this can now be stated publicly, is that the ‘office’ of our operation on Russian territory was located directly next to FSB headquarters in one of their regions,” Zelenskyy wrote on X .

Overall, Operation Spider Web opened new avenues for striking enemies. The ongoing war between the two nations further escalated after Russia conducted its largest drone strikes in Ukraine. As both the warring nations prepare for the second round of peace talks, it will be interesting to see which way the war is heading.