Ukraine's Drone Attacks on Russian Bombers Prompt Major Powers to Assess Own Vulnerabilities

Ukraine's 'Operation Spiderweb' is a Severe Warning for Military Planners

- Jonathan Eyal

LONDON - The intelligence services of major countries are scrambling to assess the long-term impact of Ukraine's spectacular June 1 attacks on Russia's military airfields. Separating facts from the propaganda generated by both sides is not an easy task. Obtaining reliable data about the real damage inflicted on Russia's air force by Ukraine's drone raids will take some time. But some lessons are already apparent.

Ukraine's reputation as a formidable, resourceful military opponent has emerged considerably strengthened, even as US President Donald Trump and his closest officials continue to belittle Ukraine's fighting ability. "Operation Spiderweb" - as the Ukrainians call their daring raids on Russia's airfields - has revived debates among the world's key military powers about the inherent vulnerability of their key aircraft and airports.

From the moment Russian troops invaded in February 2022, it was clear that Ukraine's best hope of survival against a far bigger enemy rested on asymmetrical warfare - the ability to surprise, harass and inflict maximum pain on the invader through a shrewd mix of technology and sabotage operations.

UKRAINE'S STRENGTHS On this score, Ukraine enjoyed three significant advantages. The first was a well-educated population, with numerous scientists who had experience in military research facilities, many of which dated back to the Soviet Union era. Ukraine is well known for its ability to produce literally millions of various drones and other crewless vehicles.

Less publicly known, however, are Ukraine's equally impressive cyber warfare abilities, used to jam and interfere with Russian communications. The second asset Ukraine enjoyed was the support from Western intelligence agencies. Information provided by the West allowed Ukraine in April 2022 to sink the warship Moskva, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, with the use of some makeshift weapons.