‘Slap in the Face of Russia’s Power’ – Malyuk Unveils How SBU’s Hidden Drones Hit 41 Russian Aircraft

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has revealed details of its “historic” special operation, codenamed “Spiderweb,” which targeted four Russian military airfields across three time zones in a coordinated drone strike.

According to SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk, the operation successfully hit 41 strategic aircraft, including Tu-95, Tu-160, Tu-22M3, and A-50 models. He emphasized that this complex operation was a direct response to continued Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.

“This was not just a devastating blow to enemy aircraft, but a serious slap in the face of the power and terrorist essence of the Russian Federation,” Malyuk shared on Telegram.

Malyuk added that the mission was personally supervised by President Volodymyr Zelensky and had been in preparation for more than a year and a half. He led the team coordinating the unprecedented strike that targeted the Belaya, Dyagilevo, Olenya, and Ivanovo airbases.

Precision execution

The logistics of the operation were highly complex. According to the SBU, Ukrainian agents first smuggled FPV drones and mobile wooden houses into Russia.

Once on site, the drones were hidden under remote-controlled roofs and mounted on trucks. At the designated time, the roofs opened, allowing the drones to take flight and strike their targets.

The SBU said that 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers were struck in this single operation.

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“The enemy bombed our state almost every night from these planes. Today, they felt that retribution is inevitable,” Malyuk said. “Our strikes will continue as long as Russia terrorizes Ukrainians with missiles and Shahed drones.”

Impact and damage

At least 13 aircraft were destroyed and more damaged, according to Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation. This includes confirmed destruction at Belaya airfield, located over 4,500 km (2,800 miles) from Ukraine’s border, where many of the Tu-95MS bombers that launch Kh-101 cruise missiles had been relocated.

Open-source intelligence analyst Chris Biggers shared via X satellite imagery showing three Tu-95MS aircraft completely destroyed and one more damaged, along with one Tu-22M3 hit at Belaya.

The estimated value of damaged or destroyed Russian aircraft exceeds $7 billion, according to the SBU.

Legal strike

Malyuk stressed that all the targets were legitimate under the laws of war, being direct contributors to Russia’s war of aggression.

“We are truly demilitarizing Russia. We strike only military targets. And if necessary, we’ll get them even from underground,” he said.

He concluded by thanking all SBU personnel involved in the operation and noted that all participants remain safely in Ukraine.