How many Russian air bases were hit during Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb in June 2025?

In June 2025, Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb delivered a significant blow to Russia's strategic air capabilities by striking five of its air bases. This coordinated drone (Deals) attack, executed by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on June 1, 2025, demonstrated a remarkable extension of Ukraine's operational reach deep into Russian territory, targeting crucial long-range aviation assets.

The covert operation involved the use of numerous drones, reportedly 117 or even up to 150, which were ingeniously concealed within trucks and launched from inside Russia itself. The targeted air bases included Belaya, Dyagilevo, Ivanovo Severny, Olenya, and Ukrainka. This wide-ranging assault spanned across five Russian oblasts and five time zones, with some strikes, like that on Belaya Air Base in Eastern Siberia, occurring as far as 4,300 km from Ukraine. The primary targets were Russia's strategic bombers, such as the Tu-95MS, Tu-160, and Tu-22M3, as well as A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft, which are vital for Russia's long-range missile capabilities.

Operation Spiderweb proved to be a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict, inflicting an estimated $7 billion in damage and reportedly damaging or destroying dozens of Russian military aircraft. Beyond the physical destruction, the operation delivered a substantial psychological blow, forcing Russia to confront the vulnerability of its deep rear areas and compelling the relocation of some strategic bomber fleets further east. Experts noted that this sophisticated and low-cost drone attack showcased a new phase of asymmetric warfare, underscoring the transformative role of emerging technologies in modern military strategy.