**Ukraine’s Drone Strike on Russia: A Game-Changer in the Conflict**
The first satellite images have been released, showing the devastating aftermath of a major Ukrainian drone strike on Russia’s Belaya air base. The attack, carried out by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), has revealed significant damage to Moscow’s fleet of strategic bombers.
According to geospatial intelligence consultant Chris Biggers, who posted the images on X, at least three Tu-95MS strategic bombers and one Tu-22M3 aircraft were destroyed, with an additional Tu-95MS visibly damaged. The strike was part of a coordinated operation targeting multiple Russian military airfields.
**A Coordinated Attack**
The SBU’s operation, codenamed “Spider Web,” involved smuggling first-person-view (FPV) drones deep into Russian territory. These drones were hidden in mobile wooden cabins on trucks and remotely launched to strike bombers used in missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Other bases targeted by the SBU include the Olenya, Diaghilev, and Ivanovo air bases. The Belaya air base, located over 4,000 kilometers from Ukraine, was among the most distant targets.
**Significant Losses for Russia**
The scale of the attack is staggering, with at least 13 Russian aircraft destroyed and more damaged. According to a source in the SBU, the operation involved 117 drones and a corresponding number of drone operators.
Russia’s Defense Ministry has admitted to a “terrorist attack” on the four air bases, saying “several units of aircraft caught fire.” The damage is estimated to be around $7 billion, with 34% of Russia’s cruise missile bombers disabled.
**Ukraine’s Growing Capabilities**
The success of this operation underscores Ukraine’s growing long-range strike capabilities. Using low-cost FPV drones has allowed the SBU to target aircraft that have launched missile barrages from deep inside Russian territory.
President Volodymyr Zelensky described the operation as “brilliant,” adding that Russia suffered “significant losses — entirely justified and deserved.” The operation was reportedly overseen by SBU Chief Vasyl Maliuk and President Zelensky himself.
**A Turning Point in the Conflict?**
The Ukrainian drone strike on Russia’s Belaya air base may mark a turning point in the conflict. As Ukraine continues to develop its long-range capabilities, it is likely that we will see more such operations in the future.
This development has significant implications for the war in Ukraine and the broader region. As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the lines of this conflict are becoming increasingly blurred, and the world may soon be forced to confront a new reality.
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