As of June 2025, Ukraine has reportedly destroyed or disabled over four hundred Russian army aircraft for the reason that onset of Russia's entire-scale invasion in February 2022. This determine encompasses numerous aircraft types, consisting of strategic bombers, fighter jets, surveillance planes, and transport plane. The maximum large today's development contributing to this tally is the audacious Operation Spider's Web, which targeted Russian airbases deep inner Russian territory.
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Operation Spider's Web: A Strategic Masterstroke
On June 1, 2025, Ukraine done a bold and extraordinary covert operation named "Operation Spider's Web." This meticulously planned project involved smuggling 117 first-person view (FPV) drones into Russia, hid within modified timber sheds on motors. These drones had been then released remotely to strike 5 Russian navy airbases: Belaya, Dyagilevo, Ivanovo Severny, Olenya, and Ukrainka. The operation resulted inside the destruction or harm of over 40 Russian army plane, together with strategic bombers just like the Tu-ninety 5, Tu-22M, and Tu-160, in addition to the A-50 airborne early warning and control plane. Ukrainian officers estimate that this operation incapacitated about 34% of Russia's strategic bomber fleet, inflicting an envisioned $7 billion in damages.
Breakdown of Russian Aircraft Losses
Strategic Bombers
Ukraine has targeted Russia's strategic bombers, which may be pivotal for long-range missile moves. Notably, the Tu-22M3 bombers have been a focal point, with Ukraine reportedly destroying or damaging several of those aircraft via drone moves and missile assaults. For instance, in August 2023, a Ukrainian drone attack broken or destroyed Tu-22M3 bombers at the Soltsy airbase in Novgorod Oblast.
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Fighter Jets
Throughout the battle, Ukraine has successfully downed severa Russian fighter jets, consisting of the Su-34, Su-35, and Su-30SM. In February 2024 by myself, Ukrainian forces shot down 13 Russian aircraft, comprising ten Su-34 fighter-bombers and two Su-35 fighters, amounting to over $1 billion in losses for Russia.
Surveillance and Command Aircraft
The A-50 airborne early caution and manipulate aircraft, vital for coordinating Russian air operations, have also been targeted. Ukraine has reportedly destroyed two A-50 aircraft in 2024, considerably impairing Russia's aerial surveillance abilities.
Implications for the Conflict
The cumulative destruction of over 400 Russian army aircraft with the useful resource of Ukraine has profound implications for the continued warfare. It no longer best diminishes Russia's offensive abilties however also showcases Ukraine's growing expertise in executing complex navy operations deep inner enemy territory. The fulfillment of Operation Spider's Web, specially, underscores Ukraine's revolutionary use of drone technology and intelligence operations to offset disparities in conventional military energy.
As the war progresses, Ukraine's strategic concentrated on of Russia's aerial property maintains to play a important role in leveling the playing place and keeping its resilience towards a numerically superior adversary.
Rajesh Kumar
As of June 2025, Ukraine has reportedly destroyed or disabled over four hundred Russian army aircraft for the reason that onset of Russia's entire-scale invasion in February 2022. This determine encompasses numerous aircraft types, consisting of strategic bombers, fighter jets, surveillance planes, and transport plane. The maximum large today's development contributing to this tally is the audacious Operation Spider's Web, which targeted Russian airbases deep inner Russian territory.
You May Also Like: Why is the Ukraine important to the economy?
Operation Spider's Web: A Strategic Masterstroke
On June 1, 2025, Ukraine done a bold and extraordinary covert operation named "Operation Spider's Web." This meticulously planned project involved smuggling 117 first-person view (FPV) drones into Russia, hid within modified timber sheds on motors. These drones had been then released remotely to strike 5 Russian navy airbases: Belaya, Dyagilevo, Ivanovo Severny, Olenya, and Ukrainka. The operation resulted inside the destruction or harm of over 40 Russian army plane, together with strategic bombers just like the Tu-ninety 5, Tu-22M, and Tu-160, in addition to the A-50 airborne early warning and control plane. Ukrainian officers estimate that this operation incapacitated about 34% of Russia's strategic bomber fleet, inflicting an envisioned $7 billion in damages.
Breakdown of Russian Aircraft Losses
Strategic Bombers
Ukraine has targeted Russia's strategic bombers, which may be pivotal for long-range missile moves. Notably, the Tu-22M3 bombers have been a focal point, with Ukraine reportedly destroying or damaging several of those aircraft via drone moves and missile assaults. For instance, in August 2023, a Ukrainian drone attack broken or destroyed Tu-22M3 bombers at the Soltsy airbase in Novgorod Oblast.
Read Also: Did Russia and the West agree on the Ukraine language?
Fighter Jets
Throughout the battle, Ukraine has successfully downed severa Russian fighter jets, consisting of the Su-34, Su-35, and Su-30SM. In February 2024 by myself, Ukrainian forces shot down 13 Russian aircraft, comprising ten Su-34 fighter-bombers and two Su-35 fighters, amounting to over $1 billion in losses for Russia.
Surveillance and Command Aircraft
The A-50 airborne early caution and manipulate aircraft, vital for coordinating Russian air operations, have also been targeted. Ukraine has reportedly destroyed two A-50 aircraft in 2024, considerably impairing Russia's aerial surveillance abilities.
Implications for the Conflict
The cumulative destruction of over 400 Russian army aircraft with the useful resource of Ukraine has profound implications for the continued warfare. It no longer best diminishes Russia's offensive abilties however also showcases Ukraine's growing expertise in executing complex navy operations deep inner enemy territory. The fulfillment of Operation Spider's Web, specially, underscores Ukraine's revolutionary use of drone technology and intelligence operations to offset disparities in conventional military energy.
As the war progresses, Ukraine's strategic concentrated on of Russia's aerial property maintains to play a important role in leveling the playing place and keeping its resilience towards a numerically superior adversary.