Ukraine Claims Devastating Drone Strike on Russian Air Bases

Ukraine's Security Service Claims Major Strike on Russian Air Force On June 2nd, 2025, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced a successful operation codenamed "Pavutina" (Spiderweb) resulting in the destruction of 41 Russian aircraft. The operation, reportedly planned over 18 months and overseen by President Zelenskyy, involved the use of drones concealed within trucks disguised as civilian cargo. The estimated cost of the damage is over \$7 billion. Footage released by the SBU shows burning aircraft and what appears to be the drones used in the attack. While the SBU claims the operation significantly weakened Russia's strategic air capabilities, independent verification of the scale of the damage is currently pending. A military analyst, speaking on the condition of anonymity, commented, "If these claims are accurate, this would represent a significant blow to Russia's air power." The ongoing nature of the operation suggests further developments are likely. The incident has heightened tensions in the ongoing conflict and raises questions about the future trajectory of the war.