Operation Spiderweb: Non-Contact Warfare May Be The New Norm

The meticulously planned Operation Spiderweb marked a new point not only in the Russia-Ukraine war, but perhaps in the concept of war fighting itself.

- AJAY SINGH

The Ukrainian attack on five air bases deep within Russia was perhaps the most audacious action of the war. A small fleet of 117 First Person View drones were concealed in crates and carried by long-haul container trucks across Russia near their intended targets. At the right time, 1205h on 01 June, the drones were activated, which flew out and slammed into the aircraft parked at the bases.

According to Ukrainian sources, 41 strategic bombers were "beautifully burning"—though the actual figure was around 20 aircraft. The attack hit five airbases—Belaya, over 4,000 km from the Ukrainian frontier; Olenya, near the Arctic Circle; Ivanevo and Ryazan in Western Russia; and Amur in Siberia—over 4,300 km apart and extending over three time zones. Almost a third of Russia's strategic fleet, including crucial TU-22 and TU-95 strategic bombers and A-50 surveillance aircraft, was destroyed in a strike that brought the war deep into Russia, caused an estimated $7 billion worth of damages and enormous loss of prestige and face.

The meticulously planned Operation Spiderweb marked a new point not only in the Russia-Ukraine war, but perhaps in the concept of war fighting itself. Planned over 18 months and overseen by President Zelenskyy himself, it involved placing 117 drones in wooden crates. These crates were then transported by container trucks that were then parked close to the targeted areas. Commercial trucks were used and, in most cases, the drivers did not even know what they were carrying—they were merely told where to drive and where to halt. At a signal given remotely, the top of the crates slid open and the drones were activated.