One Year On: Ukraine’s Airfield Blitz Still Echoes - CEPA
AI Analysis
Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb, a series of drone attacks on Russian airbases in June 2023, demonstrated a successful long-range drone capability and inflicted significant damage on Russia's strategic bomber fleet. This tactic has expanded into a broader campaign targeting Russian infrastructure, including oil facilities, and has prompted Russian businesses to seek independent air defense capabilities. The success of these attacks highlights vulnerabilities in airbase defense and the growing threat posed by drones.
Key Takeaways
- Ukraine successfully employed explosive-laden drones, delivered via trucks, to attack four Russian airbases (Olenya, Dyagilevo, Ivanovo, Belaya).
- The attacks resulted in the destruction of at least 12 Russian aircraft (Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers) and damage to three more.
- Ukraine's drone campaign has escalated, with over 2,000 missiles and drones launched against Russia in April 2024 alone.
- The attacks aim to degrade Russia’s strategic capabilities, divert operational focus, and damage its economic resources (oil infrastructure).
- Western air forces and infrastructure are similarly vulnerable to drone attacks, as evidenced by recent incidents involving US tankers and airborne early warning aircraft.
Why It Matters
The demonstrated effectiveness of Ukraine’s drone strikes underscores the evolving nature of modern warfare and the increasing accessibility of asymmetric capabilities. This necessitates a re-evaluation of airbase security protocols and investment in robust counter-UAS technologies across all potential targets, including those in the West. The attacks also highlight the strategic impact of disrupting an adversary’s economic foundations.
One Year On: Ukraine’s Airfield Blitz Still Echoes - CEPA
One Year On: Ukraine’s Airfield Blitz Still Echoes
Ukraine’s use of drones against Russia’s strategic aircraft has left an indelible mark on the war and the world. It’s a warning to the West.
By
and
June 1, 2026
June 1 last year would have seemed a typical early summer day to the airmen at Olenya air base in northwestern Russia.
Situated not far from Finland, airfield personnel had little to worry about from the Ukrainian armed forces 1,100 miles to the south. Or so they thought, until a loud buzzing noise cut through the calm. A swarm of quadcopter drones emerged through the roofs of trucks parked nearby that had been loaded with explosives-carrying drones by Ukrainian intelligence. They descended upon the fleet of advanced aircraft at the base. At least four Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers were later assessed as destroyed, and another four damaged.
As smoke billowed into the sky over Olenya, Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb also struck three more key air bases throughout Russia: Dyagilevo in Ryazan Oblast, Ivanovo in Ivanovo Oblast, and Belaya in Irkutsk Oblast. Estimates suggest at least 12 aircraft were destroyed and three damaged, though the numbers may have been higher.
Ukrainians were exultant. They had reached deep into Vladimir Putin’s state and hit missile-firing aircraft that had been tormenting their country for many long months. But while Western military figures and analysts shared the feel-good moment, they were also aware of something else: allied air forces and critical infrastructure were equally vulnerable.
Quite how far the lessons have been learned is questionable. As the Iran war has shown, US tankers and airborne early warning aircraft have fallen victim to attacks in recent months. Like the Russian aircraft, they were parked in the open. Ground defenses failed.
For Ukraine, the attacks heralded a new campaign of medium- and long-range drone and missile attacks. These have enormously expanded in the past 12 months, and especially this year. One estimate suggests Ukraine launched more than 2,000 missiles and drones against Russia in April alone, a record.
For Ukraine, these tactics are a part of a much broader strategy. Although the purpose of Spiderweb was to destroy Russia’s strategic bombers, it also sought to force Russia to push its operational focus further from the frontline, with some success. Other Ukrainian attacks have been much broader, targeting Russian oil infrastructure, which is a key financial support for the Putin regime. The effects of the campaign are becoming clear; Russian business associations are seeking the ability to buy their own air defense systems (mirroring a right granted to Ukrainian businesses).
Tactically, operations like Spiderweb are a must for Ukraine to stay in the fight. Beyond their military value, they demonstrate resolve and audacity to the domestic and foreign audience. More than four years into the war, Ukraine still lac