A 360-degree picture of Russia from the ground and the sky showing how Zelenskyy's spiders spit fire

Ukraine’s Operation Spider’s Web marks a dramatic escalation in its war strategy, delivering a stunning message to Moscow that nowhere is out of reach. With the boldest drone offensive since the war began, Kyiv didn’t just hit Russia—it pierced deep into its military heartland, striking five airbases across thousands of kilometers, from the western front to the icy edges of Siberia. The operation is being hailed not just for its scale, but for its precision, planning, and psychological impact.

Key Targets and Outcomes

1. Olenya Air Base, Murmansk region (3,000+ km from Kyiv)
   This was the crown jewel of the operation. Situated in Russia’s Arctic belt, Olenya hosted some of the most strategic long-range bombers in Russia’s arsenal. Ukraine reportedly used First Person View (FPV) drones launched from a hijacked truck to strike the base. Satellite imagery confirmed a build-up of aircraft here prior to the attack—up to 40 Tu-22M3 and 11 Tu-95MS bombers. Their destruction would significantly blunt Russia's long-range strike capability.

2. Belaya Air Base, Irkutsk region (4,400 km from Kyiv)
   A major hub for heavy bombers, Belaya was another audacious target. Ukraine’s drones reached deep into eastern Siberia, an area previously considered secure from such attacks. Reports suggest aircraft were destroyed, and drone launches were again truck-based and local. The Irkutsk governor confirmed the strike, and satellite images before the attack showed the presence of high-value assets.

3. Ivanovo Air Base, northeast of Moscow (2,000 km from Kyiv)
   This base is home to key A-50 airborne early-warning aircraft and Il-76 transport planes. The target was reportedly a prized A-50 aircraft—used for radar surveillance and battlefield coordination. While the Russian defence ministry claimed the attack was repelled, the very fact that drones reached one of Russia’s core military training and control hubs is telling.

4. Dyagilevo Air Base, Ryazan region
   Previously hit by Ukraine in past months, Dyagilevo was once again targeted. It houses strategic Tu-22M3 and Tu-95MS aircraft. Notably, a residential building was damaged, which Russia labeled a “terrorist attack.” Despite the narrative, this underscores Ukraine’s increasing reach and boldness in striking hardened, deep interior targets.

5. Ukrainka Air Base, Amur region (Far East)
   This was the only strike that failed operationally. A truck carrying drones exploded prematurely—possibly due to sabotage or miscalculation. Russia claimed to have thwarted the attack, and surveillance footage shows a man entering the truck just before the blast. Still, it reveals Ukraine’s ambition to hit targets almost 6,000 km away.

Strategic Impact

• Military disruption: Dozens of aircraft potentially destroyed or damaged, weakening Russia’s airstrike capabilities.

• Psychological warfare: Russia’s “deep safe zones” no longer exist—Ukraine has shown it can strike anywhere, at any time.

• Geopolitical implications: The attacks draw comparisons to Israeli Mossad-style operations—blending espionage, local infiltration, and unmanned tech.

• Putin’s miscalculation: As Ian Bremmer noted, this could unravel Putin’s assumption that time and geography are his strategic allies.

The Bigger Picture

This operation wasn't just a military strike—it was a signal to the world. Ukraine is not waiting passively for Western aid or negotiations. It’s adapting, improvising, and extending its strategic footprint deep into enemy territory. By weaponizing mobility, drones, and intelligence, it has redrawn the map of risk for Russia—and possibly forced the Kremlin to rethink what comes next.