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Ukraine’s security service on Wednesday released new drone footage of its operation “Spiderweb”, showing how exactly Kyiv struck 41 Russian heavy military bombers.
“During the operation, modern UAV control technology was used, which combines autonomous artificial intelligence algorithms and manual operator intervention,” Politico quoted the Security Service of Ukraine, or SBU, the country’s main counterintelligence agency, as saying.
СБУ показала унікальні кадри спецоперації «Павутина», у результаті якої уражено 41 військовий літак стратегічної авіації рф
— СБ України (@ServiceSsu) June 4, 2025
➡️ https://t.co/OSxqEsI9CD pic.twitter.com/aGSZNEsoX3
“During the flight, some drones lost signal and switched to performing a mission using artificial intelligence along a preplanned route. After approaching and contacting a specifically designated target, the warhead was automatically activated,” the SBU added.
The SBU released new video evidence showing Ukrainian drones striking engines, antennas, wings, and other components of Russian strategic and reconnaissance aircraft at four military airfields deep inside Russia.
These bases are regularly used by Moscow to launch ballistic and cruise missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.
“Among the hit aircraft were ‘A-50,’ ‘Tu-95,’ ‘Tu-22,’ ‘Tu-160,’ as well as ‘An-12’ and ‘Il-78,’” the SBU said, claiming that its clandestine operation caused more than $7 billion worth of financial damage to Russia.
According to the report, open-source intelligence analysts and journalists have verified, through newly released satellite imagery, the destruction of at least 11 strategic bombers.
The bold “Spider Web” drone strikes drew global attention — hailed by some as a breakthrough in modern warfare tactics, while others, including US Special Envoy on Ukraine Keith Kellogg, voiced concern over the escalation.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“When you attack an opponent’s part of the national survival system, which is their triad, their nuclear triad — that means your risk level goes up because you don’t know what the other is going to do … It’s a very emboldened act. And when you do that, it’s very clear that the risk levels will go up. That is what we try to avoid,” Fox News quoted Kellogg as saying on Tuesday.
The “Spider Web” strikes lifted Ukrainian morale as Russian forces advanced in Donetsk, Kharkiv, and now Sumy.
Russia’s Defence Ministry downplayed the drone attacks, admitting hits only in Irkutsk and Murmansk, and claiming others were repelled. It said no casualties occurred and labeled the incident an act of terrorism.
President Zelenskyy said the strikes could have been avoided if Moscow had accepted Ukraine’s unconditional ceasefire proposal.
“Today, I awarded our Security Service warriors for the important operation to destroy 41 Russian aircraft, half of which is beyond repair, and another part will be repairing for years, if at all. Absolutely legitimate military target. Such operations help counter Russian terror,” Zelenskyy said at a press briefing on Wednesday.
“Had there been a ceasefire before our operation, there’d be no operation. Wanting a ceasefire doesn’t mean we do nothing in the meantime,” he added.
With inputs from agencies
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