On June 1, Ukraine launched an audacious drone attack on four Russian airbases, striking several of Russia’s heavy bombers. The attack was a surprise to many, but some experts had anticipated such an operation given the rapid advances in drone technology during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The Kyiv Independent reported that the number of drones used in the attack was initially estimated to be around 50, but it was later revealed to be as few as six shortly after Ukraine managed to shoot one down for the first time. Ukraine downed another A-50 four months later, in June 2024.
Despite the global reaction to the attack, some experts saw it coming due to Russian milbloggers urging the Kremlin to up security at air bases in the event of such an attack. Samuel Bendett, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security think tank, highlighted that Russian milbloggers have long been warning about the potential for Ukraine to conduct such an operation.
The drones used in the attack were likely pre-programmed to fly out of trucks and towards the air base with operators taking over using Russian mobile networks when they were over the planes. The trucks that carried the drones were driven by unsuspecting drivers who were reportedly unaware of their contents.
Russia has acknowledged the attack as a “terrorist attack” but has kept quiet about the details. Milbloggers have been more vocal, describing it as a “black day for aviation” and attributing the success to Ukraine’s intelligence gathering capabilities.
