Some Ukrainians and Westerners alike have dubbed the 1 June audacious attack on Russian strategic bombers the “Trojan truck” operation, referencing the disguised long-haul vehicles that delivered drones straight close to Russia’s strategic airbases. The destroyed Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers have been used to bomb Ukraine since 2022.

Many Russians called it their “Pearl Harbor.” However, unlike Japan’s unprovoked attack on the US naval base in 1941, Ukraine hit back at bombers responsible for missile strikes on civilian cities.

Ukraine says 41 Russian bombers destroyed in record-range drone strike using disguised trucks

According to the SBU and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s most far-reaching drone strike to date destroyed 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers at their home airfields.

Breaking: Russian strategic bombers ablaze en masse under SBU drone attack (video)

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) sources said earlier today that the operation destroyed “over 40” Russian military aircraft across multiple airbases. 

So far, seven aircraft have been visually confirmed destroyed, according to Ukrainian OSINT sources, with upcoming satellite imagery expected to verify additional damage.

Zelenskyy: “Absolutely brilliant” op planned inside Russia, right next to FSB

In a Telegram post and national video address, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the operation as “absolutely brilliant” and “unique.” He said planning lasted one year, six months, and nine days, and that Ukrainian operatives had been safely extracted from Russian territory before launch.

“Our people operated on the territory of various Russian regions — across three time zones. On the eve of the operation, our personnel were withdrawn from Russian territory, and those who assisted us are now safe,” Zelenskyy said.

He revealed that the strike was coordinated from inside Russia, “right next to an FSB office” in one of the oblasts. Zelenskyy praised SBU chief General Vasyl Maliuk for leading the mission and said it would go into history books. He instructed the SBU to publish available public details.

117 drones reportedly used, 34% of missile-carrying bombers hit in Operation Web

The SBU named the mission Operation Spiderweb (Pavutyna) and confirmed it was executed across three Russian time zones. The operation used 117 drones to target strategic bombers capable of launching cruise missiles, according to Zelenskyy.

SBU states that 34% of Russia’s strategic missile-carrying aviation was damaged or destroyed. The value of affected aircraft was estimated at $7 billion. In a defiant message, the agency quoted Ukrainian author Lina Kostenko:

“Did you think Ukraine would be that easy? Ukraine is something extraordinary. Ukraine is one of a kind. It has been run over by every steamroller of history. It has endured every kind of trial. It is tempered by the highest forge. ”

Confirmed losses: at least 8 aircraft destroyed at Olenya and Belaya

Open-source intelligence analysts confirmed the destruction of eight Russian aircraft as of 18:00:

• 5 Tu-95MS strategic bombers
• 2 Tu-22M3 bombers
• 1 An-12 transport aircraft

Destruction was confirmed at two airbases — Belaya in Irkutsk Oblast and Olenya in Murmansk Oblast — via available combat footage and satellite imagery. OSINT Dnipro reported fires in areas where additional aircraft, including Tu-160s, were parked, suggesting the final number may rise. The channel dismissed rumors of 40 destroyed planes as “nonsense” but said 10+ is likely.

In any case, the satellite images will settle the final score.

Belaya airbase: at least three bombers destroyed in Irkutsk Oblast

OSINT analysis confirmed that two Tu-22M3 and one Tu-95MS bombers were destroyed during the Ukrainian attack. Fires were observed at parking areas used by additional aircraft.

Olenya airbase: at least four aircraft destroyed in Murmansk Oblast

The Olenya airbase, located on the Kola Peninsula, hosts strategic bombers from several regiments under the 22nd Guards Heavy Bomber Division.

Confirmed destruction includes three Tu-95MS bombers and one An-12 transport aircraft. The base may have also housed Tu-160 and additional Tu-22M3 aircraft at the time of the strike.

Trojan trucks and AI-trained drones

Footage and OSINT confirmed that Ukraine used long-haul trucks and trailers to secretly deliver drones near Russian airfields. Once in position, the trucks served as launch platforms, releasing FPV drones at close range to evade Russian long- and medium-range air defenses.

In Irkutsk and Murmansk oblasts, videos showed drones launched from trucks, followed by self-destruction of the vehicles by fire.

Telegram channel Clash Report also stated that AI targeting systems were trained using real aircraft at the Poltava Museum of Long-Range and Strategic Aviation, which displays Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 bombers — the same models targeted in the operation. 

Drones assembled inside Russia: Chelyabinsk warehouse geolocated

Ukrainian Telegram channels analyzed photos related to the operation that surfaced earlier today — including images showing drone containers — and identified a warehouse facility inside Russia that matched the visuals. The facility was geolocated to a warehouse in Chelyabinsk Oblast, at 28A Sverdlovsky Trakt, reportedly rented by the company Dan-Invest. The facility is located near the Kazakhstan border, which may have served as a supply route for components.

This supports President Zelenskyy’s claim that drones and launchers were assembled on Russian territory. 

Failed strike attempt in Amur Oblast caught on video

In Russia’s Far East, a drone strike attempt near the Ukrainka airbase in Amur Oblast failed. Video shows a truck on fire, followed by an explosion when a man tries to open the trailer.

The vehicle is believed to have been another disguised launcher that failed to reach its intended point.

Four airbases were reportedly targeted in drone operation

On 1 June, Russian authorities reported drone attacks in four oblasts. Ukrainian intelligence sources told Suspilne that the SBU coordinated a multi-target operation against Russian long-range aviation at:

• Belaya (Irkutsk Oblast)
• Olenya (Murmansk Oblast)
• Dyagilevo (Ryazan Oblast)
• Ivanovo airbase (Ivanovo Oblast)

Sources claimed over 40 aircraft were hit, including A-50 early warning planes, Tu-95MS, and Tu-22M3 bombers. Also, a fire was reported at an airbase in Voskresensk, Moscow Oblast.

As of now, independently confirmed destruction is limited to Olenya and Belaya, with additional data expected from satellite review.

Update:

Russia downplays the Ukrainian air assault

Russia’s Defense Ministry called the Ukrainian attack on purely military facilities, hosting hardware used against Ukraine, a “terrorist act.“

The Ministry claimed that all drone attacks on airfields in Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur oblasts were successfully “repelled.” However, it admitted that fires broke out at airbases in Murmansk and Irkutsk after FPV drones were launched from areas “in direct proximity” to the sites, and “several units of aircraft equipment caught fire.”

MoD insisted the fires were quickly extinguished and there were no casualties. It also announced that “some participants in the terror attacks” had been ostensibly detained.