Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Russian truck drivers who unknowingly transported Ukrainian drones into Russia had no knowledge of their cargo’s true purpose during the large-scale attack on Russian military airfields.

Operation Spiderweb, carried out by Ukraine’s Security Service, was a large-scale surprise Ukrainian drone strike on five Russian airbases that involved 117 drones covertly smuggled into Russia and launched from hidden compartments in trucks. The attack destroyed or damaged over 40 strategic bombers, amounting to about $7 bn in losses and about one-third of Russia’s long-range strike fleet used for attacks on Ukraine.

“They didn’t know anything. They just did their job,” Zelenskyy told ABC News correspondent Martha Raddatz in an exclusive interview airing on This Week with George Stephanopoulos.

The drivers transported what they believed were mobile cottages and other containers, unaware that the structures contained drones equipped to assault Russian airfields and damage military hardware worth billions of dollars.

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukrainian Security Service used exclusively domestic weapons for the operation.

“I wanted very much to use only what we produce and to have the separation [be] very clear,” the Ukrainian president said.

Operation web details

On 1 June, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) conducted Operation Web, targeting Russian military airfields at Olenya, Belaya, Dyagilevo, and Ivanovo with drone strikes. The operation targeted Russian aircraft including A-50 early warning planes, Tu-95 strategic bombers, and Tu-22M3 supersonic bombers.

The operation reportedly damaged 41 Russian aircraft, representing 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers stationed at their home bases.

The operation required over 18 months of preparation, according to SBU sources. Ukrainian intelligence first smuggled FPV drones into Russia, followed by mobile wooden houses. The drones were later concealed under the roofs of these structures, which were opened remotely at the start of the operation to launch the aircraft.

Aftermath and investigation

All individuals who assisted in organizing the operation have been reportedly evacuated from Russia. However, Russian authorities have issued a warrant for 37-year-old Ukrainian-born Artem Timofeev, allegedly the owner of the trucks used to transport the drones.

The Russian Telegram channel Baza, linked to Russian law enforcement, reported interrogations of truck drivers who launched drones during the SBU’s large-scale attack on Russian airfields. The drivers reportedly believed they were transporting prefabricated houses and identified the truck owner as a man named Artem.

Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukrainian secret services extracted all operation participants from Russian territory following the successful mission.

President Donald Trump held a phone conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, that lasted approximately one hour and 15 minutes, Trump announced on his Truth Social platform.

According to the US president, they discussed Ukraine’s recent surprise operation targeting Russian aircraft “as well as various other attacks happening on both sides.”

“It was a good conversation, but not the conversation that will lead to immediate peace. President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields,” Trump stated.

The New York Times previously reported that American officials expect Russia to deliver a “significant response” to Ukraine over these strikes.

While US intelligence has not yet determined specific targets for potential retaliation, they believe Moscow may conduct more massive drone strikes on civilian targets, hit energy infrastructure, or launch new waves of medium-range ballistic missiles.

The leaders also addressed Iran and what Trump described as a nuclear agreement he proposed to Tehran.

“I stated to President Putin that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and, on this, I believe we were in agreement. President Putin suggested that he will participate in discussions with Iran and that he could, perhaps, be helpful in getting this brought to a rapid conclusion,” the American president added.