On 6 June, Russia involved its Tu-160 strategic bombers in last night’s cruise missile strike against Ukraine, according to Ukraine’s Air Force. Usually, only older Tu-95 aircraft carried out such attacks, now both Tu-95s and Tu-160s were used to launch 36 Kh-101 missiles. Militarnyi notes that the use of Tu-160s in such attacks is unusual and signals a potential shortage of Tu-95MSM bombers, which are typically used for these operations.

According to Militarnyi, Tu-95MSM bombers are generally favored for missile strikes because of their higher airframe and engine longevity, which is attributed to several factors: lower flight loads, simpler construction, use of turboprop engines, and suitability for long-duration patrol missions at cruising speeds of approximately 750 km/h at altitudes of 8–10 km. These conditions impose less wear on the aircraft compared to supersonic flight.

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

Higher operational costs and faster degradation

The Tu-160 is faster and more powerful than the Tu-95 but is significantly more complex to operate, according to Militarnyi. It features variable-sweep wings, which require additional mechanical systems, and it is designed for supersonic speeds that place heavier structural loads on the airframe and engines. These factors result in faster degradation during service and much higher operational costs, both in fuel consumption and maintenance.

Satellite images reveal wreckage of Russian strategic bombers after Ukraine’s Spiderweb drone operation deep in Russia

Ukrainian “Trojan horse” operation Spiderweb likely caused Tu-95MSM shortage

Militarnyi says the increased use of Tu-160 bombers is likely the result of losses sustained during the Ukrainian Security Service’s (SBU) Operation Pavutyna (“Spiderweb” or “Cobweb”). During that operation, at least eight Tu-95 bombers were reportedly hit—either destroyed or damaged—on Russian airbases.

Per Militarnyi, the following Tu-95 aircraft were identified as damaged or destroyed:

• RF-94120 “Kozelsk” (Belaya airbase), confirmed as modernized to Tu-95MSM
• RF-94132 “Voronezh” (Olenya airbase), also modernized to Tu-95MSM
• RF-94257 “Chelyabinsk” (Olenya airbase), confirmed as Tu-95MS as of 2021, though later modernization is not ruled out
• Five additional Tu-95 aircraft, unspecified in their modernization status, were also hit at Belaya and Olenya airbases but have not yet been identified

Following Ukraine’s 1 June high-profile Spiderweb drone operation that targeted nuclear-capable Russian bombers deep inside Russian territory, US President Donald Trump has not issued any public comment. Meanwhile, MAGA influencers are reacting with suspicion, warnings, and accusations of US involvement, Axios reported late on 2 June.

While officials and media in Ukraine praised the operation’s scale and success, voices within Trump’s MAGA movement sharply criticized it, according to Axios. Some expressed anger that Trump had not been informed of the strike in advance. Others framed the event as a provocation with potential global consequences.

Influencers speculate about US role

On Steve Bannon’s “War Room,” pro-Trump commentator Jack Posobiec questioned the possibility of US involvement in planning. Charlie Kirk, a leading MAGA activist, said, “Seems very much on the interior of Russia. I sure hope America had nothing to do with it.”

Rogan O’Handley, who runs the DC Draino account, claimed — without providing evidence — that the strike was “intentionally conducted to drag America into WW3.” Former Pentagon official Dan Caldwell warned of direct risks: “US should not only distance itself from this attack but end any support that could directly or indirectly enable attacks against Russian strategic nuclear forces.”

Meet First Contact’s Osa: Ukrainian FPV drone used to strike Russian bombers in Spiderweb operation

Longstanding MAGA hostility toward Zelenskyy and Ukraine

Axios noted that MAGA-aligned figures have consistently criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and framed Ukraine as a corrupt and untrustworthy actor. Military actions by Ukraine, even against legitimate military targets, often provoke stronger backlash within the Trump-aligned sphere than Russian daily strikes on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.

“Zelensky and any Ukrainian military operations against Russian troops have been met with hostility from MAGA for years,” Axios wrote.

Trump himself has issued occasional criticism of Russian attacks but remains largely quiet on many events involving Ukraine

Axios highlighted growing pressure on Trump from different factions within the Republican Party. While some GOP senators advocate for tougher stances on Russia, the MAGA base demands disengagement from Ukraine and views the country with deep suspicion.

A new report by Defense Express identifies Ukrainian Osa (“Wasp”) FPV drones produced by First Contact as the likely unmanned aircraft used in the Security Service of Ukraine’s (SBU) highly successful 1 June Spiderweb operation targeting Russian strategic bombers on their home bases.

Visual confirmation of drone model through unique design

Based on images from the preparation phase of the operation within Russian territory, Defense Express highlights drone units stored in hive-like structures under the roofs of mock pre-made houses, which were delivered by trucks to areas near Russian airbases.

Trojan truck op: Kyiv destroys “34%” of Russia’s strategic bomber fleet within hours with truck-launched FPV drones (updated)

According to Defense Express, these images reveal distinctive elements matching the Osa drone, including its thick enclosed frame housing all electronics, a fixed power port, and a front-placed antenna near the camera, rather than the usual rear placement.

Unlike most other FPVs that use an open skeletal frame and top-mounted cables, the Osa employs a sealed construction, which Defense Express argues made it more suited for long-distance transport inside trucks and resilient enough for use in various weather conditions.

Combat capability and final preparation on Russian soil

Further confirmation came through a high-resolution photo published by Censor.net. A bottom-up view of the drone reveals unique ventilation holes and confirms the presence of integrated skids, which served as shaped-charge warheads, according to a reader clarification. Defense Express notes that final drone assembly or arming still occurred on Russian territory prior to deployment.

Specifications support suitability for the mission

According to the manufacturer, the Osa FPV drone is capable of carrying up to 3.3 kg of payload, remaining airborne for 15 minutes, and reaching speeds of up to 42 m/s (approximately 150 km/h). These capabilities allow it to maintain stability and control even in stormy conditions — key requirements for a strike operation executed deep within Russian territory.

Potential use of AI for targeting

Defense Express also cites indications that the drones involved in the Spiderweb operation may have utilized artificial intelligence to locate, identify, and target vulnerable areas on enemy aircraft. First Contact, the manufacturer of the Osa drone, was already developing and testing AI-enabled drones as of January 2024, suggesting the firm likely had deployable systems by the time of the attack.

Independent sources reinforce drone identification

In addition to the visual and technical analysis, Defense Express consulted internal sources familiar with the operation. These sources confirmed the high likelihood that the Osa drones produced by First Contact were the exact type used in the deep-strike mission targeting strategic bomber bases.

These planes aren’t just expensive — they can’t be replaced. On 1 June, Ukraine launched a devastating operation, Spiderweb, against four Russian airbases, destroying and damaging over 40 aircraft, including key strategic bombers with AI-powered FPV-drones, Channel 24 reports. 

According to Oleh Katkov, editor-in-chief of Defense Express, the losses amount to billions of dollars, and Russia has no way to replace them. 

“A strategic bomber costs an astronomical amount. Its value isn’t even measured in money, especially for Russia. To illustrate, a modern strategic bomber costs over a billion dollars per unit, simply because so few are produced,” says Katkov.

Among the lost aircraft, the Tu-160 supersonic missile carriers, developed during the Soviet era, are especially valuable. Katkov notes that Russia has only about 18 of them left, and not a single one was built from scratch after the Soviet Union collapsed.

The situation is even worse with the Tu-95 bombers — Russia no longer produces them at all.

“The only partial replacement they can attempt is to take a Soviet airframe and try to assemble a ‘new’ aircraft around it. But there’s nothing truly new in their inventory,” Katkov explains.

Thus, the strikes on Russia’s strategic aviation don’t just weaken its military power — they expose a deep crisis in the country’s defense-industrial complex.

Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that the coordination center of the Security Service of Ukraine’s operation Spiderweb on Russian territory was located directly next to one of the FSB’s regional offices. 

As a result of the operation, A-50 radar planes, Tu-95, and Tu-22M3 bombers were struck. The estimated value of the destroyed bombers exceeds $7 billion. 

He added that 117 drones were used in the operation, each operated by a separate team.

Ukraine strikes Russian strategic bomber airbases in Murmansk and Irkutsk Oblasts with kamikaze drones, targeting aircraft about 2,000 and over 4,000 km from the frontline. Footage from the sites shows massive fires and burning aircraft. The operation has been conducted by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), according to unofficial reports.

Drone attacks in Olenya and Belaya airbases

Ukrainian FPV kamikaze drones attacked strategic bomber airbases deep within Russian territory, according to reports by Ukrainian and Russian Telegram channels. The strikes targeted the Olenya airbase in Murmansk Oblast—approximately 2,000 km north of Ukraine—and the Belaya airbase in Irkutsk Oblast, located 4,300 km to the east. 

Residents near Belaya reportedly captured footage of FPV drones hitting the airfield, followed by multiple explosions. The Olenya airbase was also struck, and open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts from Cyberboroshno identified the location in videos showing destroyed strategic bombers.

One of the videos, published by multiple Telegram channels, shows drone footage of fires at Belaya airbase, with voice-over commentary by SBU head Vasyl Maliuk, confirming the strike.

FPV drones were delivered to both bases by motor vehicles

In Irkutsk, Supernova+ reported that a long-haul truck stopped near the Belaya airbase and began launching FPV drones from its trailer, which then targeted parked aircraft and facilities on-site.

Similar accounts emerged from Murmansk Oblast. In one video, the narrator states:

“A long-haul truck arrived in Olenegorsk, the driver is running around frantically, FPV drones are flying out of his truck. The traffic police have just arrested him. He says, ‘I was told to come here, that someone would meet me. The drones are flying out one after another.’“

Visual evidence, allegedly from this attack indicated it was not a truck but a van towing a trailer in Murmansk Oblast. Later, it turned out that the images of the van were old.

Damage to aircraft and confirmed targets

According to analysis of the available video materials, at least four Tu-95 strategic bombers—used by Russia to conduct missile strikes on Ukrainian territory—were reportedly destroyed at Olenya airbase, Militarnyi says.

Ukrainian Telegram channel Supernova+ published multiple videos from both Murmansk and Irkutsk Oblasts, claiming there were at least 10 explosions at Olenya.

Another channel, Exilenova+, posted footage of Tu-95MS bombers engulfed in flames at Olenegorsk, Murmansk Oblast.

Russian Migalovo airbase hit by kamikaze drones, reports confirm (video)

First drone strike in Irkutsk Oblast

This marks the first time Irkutsk Oblast has been attacked by drones since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began.

Russian site Meduza says the drones were reportedly spotted in the Usolsky district, with settlements such as Sredniy and Novomaltinsk coming under attack. The Belaya military airfield in this area houses Tu-22M3 bombers.

SBU operation “Web” targets Russian bombers

Ukrainian publication Babel, citing sources within the SBU, reported that the strikes were part of a planned special operation dubbed “Pautyna” (“Web”), carried out on 1 June.

Babel’s report added that the FPV drones were deployed to target aircraft involved in bombing Ukrainian cities and towns. The damages from this operation are estimated to exceed $2 billion, according to the source. 

Read the follow-up:

“Trojan truck attack”: Ukraine used AI-trained FPV drones launched from trucks to destroy “34%” of Russia’s strategic bomber fleet in a day