Ukraine has initiated what seems to be its most extensive drone operation to date, targeting two significant Russian air bases that accommodate strategic bombers utilized in long-range assaults on Ukrainian cities. The attack on June 1 focused on the Olenya and Belaya airfields, located deep within Russian territory, as confirmed by Ukrainian sources.
BREAKING: Ukrainian drones hit multiple Russian air bases, setting military planes on fire pic.twitter.com/jMiZC7QunG
— BNO News (@BNONews) June 1, 2025
According to information provided by Ukrainian officials, the operation employed swarms of FPV drones that were remotely launched from vehicles stationed near the airfields. These mobile platforms were reportedly positioned close to the targets, allowing for direct line-of-sight control to ensure accurate navigation and terminal strikes.
NEW: Explosions and smoke reported in Severomorsk, Russia — home port for nuclear-armed submarines.
It is the main base of the Russian Northern Fleet, on the Kola Bay near the Barents Sea.
Hosts two-thirds of Russia’s nuclear-powered subs, including Yasen, Oscar II, Sierra II,… pic.twitter.com/JoYKtniQio
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 1, 2025
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is managing this initiative as part of an ongoing special operation codenamed “Pavutyna” — or “Web” — which aims to diminish Russia’s long-range strike capabilities. “This is a coordinated effort to eliminate enemy aircraft that persist in attacking our civilian infrastructure nightly,” stated a Ukrainian official familiar with the operation.
Ukrainian sources assert that the drone strike damaged or destroyed over 40 aircraft, including Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers, along with at least one A-50 airborne early warning aircraft. Footage released to the public depicts burning Tu-95 bombers on the airfield aprons, with secondary explosions observable in various locations.
Open-source videos captured by local residents seem to corroborate the timing and location of the strikes. Later in the day, Ukrainian defense channels shared further visual evidence showing smoldering Russian aircraft engulfed in flames.
Ukraine has struck multiple strategic bombers in Olenya, Murmansk oblast, 1800 km from Ukraine. This is one of the most successful drone strikes against against Russian air bases in the entire war. The extent of the damage is yet unclear, but I can already say it’s significant.… pic.twitter.com/viLTrLRG9X
— Emil Kastehelmi (@emilkastehelmi) June 1, 2025
The extent of the damage has yet to be independently confirmed; however, estimates from Ukrainian sources suggest that Russian losses exceed $2 billion. If validated, this would mark the most significant blow to Russia‘s strategic aviation capabilities since the onset of the full-scale invasion in 2022.
The Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers involved in the attack are key assets utilized by the Russian Aerospace Forces for launching cruise missiles at Ukrainian urban areas. Their elimination could momentarily hinder Russia’s capacity to execute deep strikes from a distance.
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