Inside Ukraine’s secret deep strike against Russian bombers | About That

Summary

In a daring operation dubbed 'Pavutina' or 'Spiderweb,' Ukraine successfully launched a covert drone attack on Russian air bases, inflicting significant damage on Russia's strategic missile capabilities. Smuggling over 100 drones hidden in retractable-roof containers, Ukrainian forces infiltrated deep into Russian territory, targeting warplanes, including nuclear-capable bombers. Despite Russia's attempts to repel the strikes, more than 40 aircraft were hit, severely disrupting Russia's war effort. The operation, which took over a year of planning, represents a major propaganda win for Ukraine, proving its resilience and strategic ingenuity amid ongoing conflict.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ukraine's Operation Pavutina (Spiderweb) targeted Russian air bases using 117 drones smuggled into Russia.
• 😀 The operation involved using retractable roof containers to deploy drones packed with explosives from trucks at Russian air bases.
• 😀 Ukraine's domestic intelligence agency claims the attack caused $7 billion in damage and compromised Russia's strategic missile capability.
• 😀 More than 40 Russian aircraft, including bombers and surveillance planes, were reportedly hit during the attack.
• 😀 The attack required over a year and a half of planning, and was carried out under the radar of Russia's intelligence services.
• 😀 Drones were hidden in containers with retractable roofs that allowed for undetected deployment from trucks near Russian air bases.
• 😀 Ukrainian intelligence provided a detailed layout of the targeted airfields, with specific weak points of Russian aircraft marked for maximum damage.
• 😀 The attack utilized short-range drones that flew close to their targets, surprising Russian defenses, which were not prepared for daylight attacks of this nature.
• 😀 Russian Ministry of Defense claims to have repelled some attacks, but Ukraine maintains that four air bases were successfully hit.
• 😀 The attack hit strategic bombers like the TU95, reducing Russia's long-range strike capability, particularly for cruise missile launches from high altitudes.
• 😀 Ukraine's success in this operation serves as a significant propaganda victory, demonstrating its ability to strike deep within Russian territory despite military vulnerabilities.

Q & A

What was the plan behind Ukraine's Operation Pavutina (Spiderweb)?

The plan involved smuggling 100 Ukrainian drones behind enemy lines, along with specially modified containers to deploy them. These containers were mounted on trucks, driven to Russian air bases, and once in position, the roofs were retracted remotely, allowing drones packed with explosives to fly out and strike their targets.

What is the significance of the drones used in the attack?

The drones were relatively small and designed to be flying bombs, hidden inside retractable roof containers. This made them difficult for Russian intelligence to detect and allowed for precise attacks on key targets in Russia, including aircraft and fuel tanks.

How did the attack affect Russia's strategic air power?

The attack reportedly damaged or destroyed over 40 Russian warplanes, including strategic bombers like the TU-95, which are capable of launching cruise missiles from long distances. This strike severely impacted Russia's ability to hit Ukraine from the air, especially from strategic bombers that previously avoided anti-aircraft defenses.

What challenges did Ukraine face in carrying out this operation?

The operation was extremely complex, requiring detailed planning, covert infiltration, and ensuring that the drones remained undetected by Russian security and intelligence services. The drones had to be prepared, hidden, and deployed without raising suspicion, a task complicated by Russia's counterintelligence measures.

How did the Ukrainian intelligence play a role in the operation?

Ukrainian intelligence provided detailed plans for the attack, including aerial imagery of the targeted airfields and specific weak points on Russian aircraft. This information was crucial in ensuring the accuracy and effectiveness of the drone strikes, targeting vulnerable areas like fuel tanks on the planes.

What is the strategic value of attacking Russian airbases deep within its territory?

By striking airbases deep within Russian territory, Ukraine demonstrated that no place was safe for Russia's long-range strike aircraft. This forced Russia to reconsider the placement and movement of its strategic bombers, potentially affecting its entire air strategy.

What were the reported losses for Russia in terms of aircraft?

Ukrainian sources claim that over 40 Russian warplanes, including TU-95 bombers, were damaged or destroyed. These bombers, reconfigured to launch cruise missiles, were a major part of Russia's strike capability against Ukraine. The damage was estimated to account for 34% of Russia's strategic cruise missile carriers.

What challenges does Russia face in replacing the lost aircraft?

Russia no longer produces the TU-95 bombers and has a limited supply of parts for repairs, making it difficult to replace the damaged or destroyed aircraft. This loss could be a significant setback for Russia's ability to carry out long-range strikes against Ukraine.

How did the timing of the attack impact international perceptions of the conflict?

The timing of the attack was strategically significant, as it occurred just hours before Ukrainian and Russian negotiators were set to meet in Istanbul to discuss a ceasefire. The attack showcased Ukraine's continued ability to strike at the heart of Russian military power, potentially influencing the negotiations and international perception of Ukraine's position in the war.

What is the broader implication of this attack for the war effort and Ukraine's morale?

The attack served as a major propaganda coup for Ukraine, challenging the widespread belief that Russia was winning the war. By demonstrating its ability to strike deep within Russian territory, Ukraine boosted its image as a resourceful and resilient force, reaffirming its determination to continue the fight against Russia.