During the military struggle for Ukraine’s freedom and its strategic future, an operational operation under the code name “Spiderweb” has become one of the key events in the conflict with Russia
On June 1, Ukrainian security services carried out a large-scale stunt that once again demonstrated Kyiv’s geopolitical strength and determination in the fight against the Russian aggressor. As a result of this operation, a significant portion of Russia’s strategic aviation fleet was struck, which will substantially influence the course of military actions and the strategic balance of power. According to a high-ranking German military representative, Major General Christian Froeding, the analysis of the damage from the Russian aircraft disaster indicates very serious losses. In a podcast, he stated that, as a result of the drone attack, possibly more than 10% of Russia’s strategic bomber fleet has been destroyed or significantly damaged. According to him, this percentage is an approximate estimate based on calculations and observations. Froeding clarified: “Our assessment is that more than a dozen important aircraft have been damaged, including Tu-95 and Tu-22 strategic bombers, as well as the A-50 reconnaissance aircraft — in other words, those aircraft providing airspace control and capable of electronic intelligence.” Equally important is the news that most of the damaged aircraft, according to Froeding, are unlikely to be restored or returned to operation. “Aircraft like the A-50, which function similar to NATO AWACS command centers, are most likely destroyed forever, as the damages discovered render them incapable of further operation. Another loss for Russian aviation is the inability to repair or replace components, since there are, and have been, very few of such aircraft remaining,” notes the military expert. The general also pointed out that approximately 10% of the entire long-range aviation fleet, designed to conduct strategic bombing and strike targets deep within Ukraine and beyond, was damaged. This means that the offensive and defensive capabilities of Russian aviation have significantly decreased, although they have not been completely obliterated at this stage. The United States, eager to assess the scale of Ukraine’s success, reported that according to their data, Ukrainian drones managed to reduce the number of Russian aircraft at airfields to about 20 units, of which at least 10 were permanently destroyed. Experts emphasize that such losses pose a long-term problem for Russia: full recovery of the damaged aviation might take years. With the reduction in operational aircraft, Russian tactics of aerial strikes on Ukraine are likely to remain severely limited. However, on the vast battlefield, Major General Froeding notes that Russia still has approximately 90% of its strategic aviation capable of launching ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as dropping bombs. This allows Russia to continue maintaining high tension and striking Ukrainian territory for a long time. Nevertheless, according to him, Ukrainian drone actions not only have direct military value but also significantly influence the psychological state of the Russian aviation forces. “The remaining Russian aircraft will operate in more tense conditions, increasing wear and tear and the risk of breakdowns, but they also create serious psychological pressure on the enemy, who already feels less safe on their vast territory,” the expert says. Froeding states that Russia is unlikely to continue neglecting security issues given the success of the Ukrainian operation: “Russia, which for a long time considered its territorial integrity inviolable, must now reconsider its strategy. Operation ‘Spiderweb’ has served as a clear signal — they can no longer feel safe, and it is essential to strengthen security measures and the protection of the aviation fleet.” ### Background of the Events Launched on June 1, the Ukrainian security operation "Spiderweb" has become one of the most successful military actions in the context of the confrontation with Russia. According to Ukrainian intelligence, the attack targeted at least four Russian airfields, where over a third of the country’s strategic aircraft were destroyed or damaged. The total damage exceeds $7 billion — this estimate is based on evaluations by expert companies. NATO members and military analysts immediately regarded this operation as one of the most effective in the history of the conflict, noting that about 40 Russian combat aircraft suffered significant damage or were completely destroyed. American experts agree with the Ukrainian assessment and believe that Ukrainian drones can alter the balance of power despite Western armaments. President Volodymyr Zelensky, in his speech summarizing the operation, assured the world that all means used within the operation were exclusively Ukrainian-made, and any equipment from allied stockpiles, in his words, was not used. This fact underscores international support and Ukraine’s clear course toward independence and self-sufficiency in the military sphere. This operation marked an important milestone in the confrontation, demonstrating the high level of preparedness of Ukrainian security services and their ability to effectively target strategic enemy objectives. At the same time, it repeatedly proved that war is not only about metal and weapons, but also a game of psychology, national will, and strategic resilience — qualities Ukraine has managed to showcase at this stage. **In general, it can be concluded that the “Spiderweb” operation became a milestone in the modern confrontation between Ukraine and Russia, capable of changing the situation on the battlefield and laying the foundation for further successes of Kyiv diplomatically and militarily.**