The Russia–Ukraine war has entered a new and critical phase following one of its largest and most strategic strikes to date. Ukraine carried out a coordinated drone operation deep inside Russian territory, targeting key airbases housing strategic bombers. The attack, codenamed “WEB,” is being described by defense analysts as one of the most significant drone operations in modern military history. Ukrainian sources claim that several TU-95MS and TU-22M3 bombers, along with an AN-12 military transport aircraft, were destroyed in the assault.

According to reports, Ukrainian intelligence spent over 18 months preparing for this operation. Kamikaze drones were allegedly transported into Russia using trucks and trailers disguised as commercial vehicles. Once near the targeted bases, the drones were released and flew unimpeded toward their objectives. Satellite imagery and on-the-ground footage confirm that several aircraft were severely damaged or completely destroyed, with some estimates putting Russia’s total loss close to $2 billion.

Defense Industry Analyst Yusuf Akbaba described the event as “Russia’s own Pearl Harbor,” emphasizing that the operation was not just a military blow but also a severe psychological and symbolic one. Akbaba noted that this event represents a new chapter in the evolution of drone warfare, comparing it to Turkey’s use of swarm UAVs and UCAVs in Syria, which transformed the dynamics of modern conflict.

Meanwhile, intelligence expert Mehmet Çağatay Güler from the National Intelligence Academy highlighted the intelligence aspect of the attack, calling it a major success for Ukraine and a significant failure for Russia. He noted that Oleniya Airbase, one of the few locations capable of deploying Russia’s strategic bombers, suffered heavy damage, reducing Moscow’s capacity for long-range missile strikes.

However, Güler cautioned against overestimating the impact of the operation, pointing out that Ukraine has previously conducted similar deep strikes against Russian bases and infrastructure. Nevertheless, the “WEB” operation stands out as a clear demonstration of how far unmanned systems have evolved — marking a new era in warfare where drones are capable of inflicting unprecedented levels of destruction behind enemy lines.