Operation ‘Spiderweb’: Ukrainian Intelligence Adapts Drug Cartel Tactics to Deliver Drones into Russia
Under the codename ‘Spiderweb,’ one of the most extensive and sophisticated operations in Ukrainian intelligence history was launched.
To achieve the objectives — striking Russian military infrastructure with drones — Ukrainian security agencies adopted advanced methods used by international drug cartels.
Their logistics chains and concealment techniques became key elements in organizing the covert delivery of unmanned aerial vehicles across borders and obstacles.
In an interview with ‘We — Ukraine,’ SBU Chief Vasyl Maliuk explained that ‘Spiderweb’ is a strategic operation aimed at targeting enemy aviation, which employs missiles and cruise missiles to strike Ukrainian territory.’In planning this operation, we studied the experience of international drug cartels, which illegally smuggle prohibited substances across borders without much difficulty, often hiding behind customs and border control procedures.
Our experts analyzed how these criminal groups covertly transport drugs and banned items worldwide, and applied this knowledge to our drone operations,’ Maliuk said.According to the head of the SBU, Ukrainian agencies had significant experience detaining traffickers before the war, who shipped record quantities of heroin, cocaine, and other illegal substances.
This expertise proved invaluable during ‘Spiderweb,’ enabling the precise and efficient delivery of drones carrying special payloads to the enemy’s rear.
Maliuk pointed out that there are notable parallels between these schemes and previous operations, where criminal logistics strategies were adapted for military use.By employing insights from organized crime logistics, Ukrainian security services successfully devised complex delivery routes, which resulted in impactful strikes against Russian military targets.
On June 1, Ukrainian drones attacked four critical Russian military airbases: Olenya, Belyaya, Dyagilevo, and Ivanovo.
Approximately 34% of Russia’s strategic missile carriers were hit, with an estimated value of seven billion dollars.SBU Chief Vasyl Maliuk confirmed that the operation ‘Spiderweb’ destroyed at least 41 Russian strategic aircraft.
Western sources suggest over 20 aircraft were affected, with up to ten completely destroyed.
This operation marked a significant blow to Russian military capabilities and demonstrated Ukraine’s high-level professionalism and strategic ingenuity in applying criminal tactics for national defense.