Ukraine's 'Spider's Web': 117 Drones, $7 Billion in Damages, and a New Era of Warfare

Ukraine's audacious drone strike on Russian air bases, codenamed 'Operation Spider’s Web', has stunned the world. On June 1st, 2025, 117 drones, meticulously planned over 18 months, targeted at least four air bases deep inside Russia. The attack resulted in the damage or destruction of 41 military aircraft, representing approximately 34% of Russia's strategic bomber fleet, causing an estimated US$7 billion in damages. The precision and scale of the operation have forced Russia to re-evaluate its air defenses. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the operation a 'historic achievement,' emphasizing its unprecedented range and impact. 'It is genuinely satisfying when something I authorized a year and six months ago comes to fruition and deprives Russians of over 40 units of strategic aviation,' Zelenskyy stated. The innovative tactics employed in this operation offer a glimpse into the future of drone warfare.