A surprise attack by the Ukrainian intelligence service SBU using small quadcopter drones has dealt a significant blow to Russia’s nuclear deterrent, targeting four airbases across the Russian landmass and hitting 34% of strategic cruise missile carriers. The attack, codenamed “Operation Spider-Web,” has destroyed or severely damaged several Soviet-era bombers, including TU-95 and TU-22M planes.
The strike is a major embarrassment for Russian President Vladimir Putin as he seeks to pressure the US and other nations to give up on Ukraine. Russia’s bomber fleet serves multiple purposes, including missile strikes at Ukrainian cities and its nuclear deterrent. The attack on early warning radar installations also poses a significant threat to Russia’s air operations and ability to detect Ukrainian air defenses.
The SBU drones were hidden in unattended cargo containers near the bases and launched themselves in a coordinated attack. Ukraine has previously struck nuclear-related early warning radar installations, but this is the first time Russia’s nuclear capabilities have been called into question at this scale since 2022.
The attack has shifted the narrative of the conflict to Ukraine’s side, with many experts predicting that Russia will need to plan for contingencies and contend with Ukraine’s long-range drones. The strike may also drive a wedge between the US and Ukraine, but it is unlikely to have a significant impact on Washington’s stance.
Russia’s military faces significant challenges in responding to future drone attacks, including building hardened shelters for aircraft and increasing air defense systems at its bases. The attack has raised concerns about the constant fear that Ukrainian drones will be over Russian heads, making it difficult to defend against similar operations in the future.
Source: https://www.thedailybeast.com/putins-whole-trump-strategy-is-in-tatters-after-epic-drone-humiliation