Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has lauded a large-scale drone operation deep inside Russian territory as a “brilliant” military success, revealing that it caused significant damage to Russia’s strategic air capabilities. The operation, codenamed “Spiderweb”, was aimed exclusively at military targets and marked one of the most extensive coordinated Ukrainian strikes since the start of the war in 2022.
In his national address on Sunday, Zelenskyy said the mission — carried out by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) and military units — used 117 drones and took over 18 months to plan. “Russia suffered truly significant losses — entirely justified and deserved,” he said, thanking all involved, including SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk.
Zelenskyy highlighted that 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers were hit in the assault. The strikes reportedly targeted multiple high-value air bases, including Belaya in Irkutsk, Dyagilevo in Ryazan, Olenya near Murmansk, and Ivanovo — hitting long-range bombers such as the Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and even a rare A-50 surveillance aircraft. Ukrainian intelligence estimates the damage at over $7 billion.
The Ukrainian president revealed an extraordinary detail about the operation — the command centre was located right next to a regional FSB headquarters in Russia. “It is genuinely satisfying when something I authorized a year and a half ago comes to fruition,” Zelenskyy said. He confirmed that Ukrainian operatives and collaborators were safely evacuated before the operation began.
According to the SBU, this was Ukraine’s most ambitious drone strike to date. A senior official said it was designed to degrade Russia’s ability to launch missile attacks against Ukraine. The timing was also critical — coming just a day before renewed peace talks between Ukraine and Russia are set to begin in Istanbul.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, Zelenskyy expressed frustration at Moscow’s continued aggression. “We offered the Russians a ceasefire. Since March 11, the U.S. proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire has been on the table,” he said. “It was the Russians who chose to continue the war — even as the world calls for peace.”
He urged the international community to intensify pressure on Russia through sanctions, diplomacy, and unified military support. “Pressure is truly needed — to bring Russia back to reality,” he said.
Zelenskyy also warned of a potential new wave of Russian attacks, citing intelligence that indicated preparations for a massive missile strike. He urged Ukrainians to take air raid alerts seriously, noting a dramatic rise in drone and missile use. “Each week, Russia increases the number of drones used. We know who we are dealing with — and we will defend ourselves by all means,” he stated.
The high-stakes drone assault adds a new dimension to the ongoing war, particularly as both sides prepare for peace negotiations that remain uncertain. While Ukrainian officials are pushing for a ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, and the return of abducted children, Russia’s commitment to meaningful dialogue remains in question — especially after President Putin failed to appear for proposed direct talks in Turkey earlier this month.
The latest Ukrainian strike has dealt a serious blow to Russia’s strategic aviation, reshaping the balance ahead of the Istanbul talks and signaling Kyiv’s intent to combine battlefield assertiveness with diplomatic outreach.