“Spider’s Web” redefines asymmetric warfare

Ukraine’s Operation “Spider’s Web” marks a turning point in how low-cost, improvised unmanned systems can be employed with strategic impact deep behind enemy lines

Airbases attacked, Jun 1

Moscow
Kyiv
KAZAKHSTAN
Chelyabinsk: Drones reportedly assembled
Poltava
UKRAINE
RUSSIA
RUSSIA
AIRBASE PERIMETER
Arctic Ocean

Tu-22M3 bomber
Length: 42.5m

Tu-160 bomber
Length: 54.1

Kh-22 missile
Speed: Mach 4.6

(5,600km/h)

Tu-95MS bomber
Length: 46.2m

Beriev A-50
Length: 49.6m

Olenya Air Base (1,982km from Kyiv): Vital launch point for long-range missile strikes against Ukraine, home to 40th Composite Aviation Regiment, which includes squadron of Tu-22M3 bombers. Base also hosts several Tu-95MS strategic bombers

Diaghilevo Air Base (781km): Central hub for combat training of strategic aviation crews and repair facility for all types of bombers, including Tu-95, Tu-160 and Tu-22M3

Belaya Air Base (4,849km): Home to 220th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment, which operates Tu-22M3s capable of launching Kh-22 supersonic cruise missiles

Ivanovo Air Base (1,017km): Primary station for Beriev A-50 airborne warning and control (AWACS) aircraft, crucial to Russia’s airspace surveillance


HOW ATTACK UNFOLDED

1
At least 117 drones smuggled into Russia by SBU* operatives and concealed inside wooden cabins mounted on back of lorries

2
Lorries driven near airbases by drivers seemingly unaware of cargo

3
Cabin roofs open remotely at designated time, allowing drones to fly out and begin attack

4
After attack, trucks self-destruct

Strikes destroyed 41 planes, amounting to $7 billion and 34% of all Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers, Kyiv claims

1
2
3
4

First-Person-View (FPV) drone: Remotely controlled in real time via video feed by operator who can “see” through onboard camera using electronic goggles

Explosive: Automatically triggered when drone makes contact with target

Data link: Each drone integrated with compact computer to communicate over 4G/LTE Russian mobile networks

Navigation: Drones controlled using open source software ArduPilot that allows flight stability even under signal delay or loss

Artificial intelligence: AI-assisted targeting integrated into drones’ attack logic to avoid obstacles, and execute precision strikes

Most vulnerable spots
Tu-95MS
Tu-22M3

AI training: SBU reportedly used profiles of targeted aircraft – preserved at aviation museum in Ukranian city of Poltava – to train AI systems in recognising structural weak points, such as underwing pylons or fuel tank locations

Sources: Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)
*Security Service of Ukraine (SBU)
© GRAPHIC NEWS