ISW: Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb may temporarily pause Russian missile attacks
Photo: Operation Spiderweb may temporarily limit Russia's ability to strike Ukraine (Getty Images)
The attack of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on Russian airbases on June 1 may temporarily limit Russia's ability to carry out missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, stated a report of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Sky News reports.
"Ukraine's drone strike operation against strategic Russian aircraft may at least temporarily constrain Russia's ability to conduct long-range drone and missile strikes into Ukraine. Russia will likely struggle to replace the aircraft that Ukrainian forces damaged and destroyed," the ISW notes.
Operation Spiderweb
On June 1, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) carried out Operation Spiderweb, which had been in planning for over a year and a half. SBU drones attacked several Russian airbases simultaneously. The UAVs struck four military bases: Belaya, Dyagilevo, Olenya, and Ivanovo.
According to SBU Chief Vasyl Malyuk, the drone strikes damaged 41 Russian strategic aircraft, including A-50, Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 bombers.
Overall, the operation affected 34% of Russia's strategic cruise missile carriers located at the main airbases. The estimated value of the damaged strategic aviation assets is approximately $7 billion.
According to aviation expert Valerii Romanenko, during Operation Spiderweb, the SBU specifically targeted operational Russian aircraft, of which about one-third were destroyed. As a result, massive missile attacks on Ukraine are unlikely in the near future.
