**Russia’s Spy Planes Damaged in Ukraine’s Drone Strike**
In a shocking turn of events, at least two A-50 Russian surveillance aircraft were damaged in a drone strike launched by Ukraine on June 1. According to the Telegraph, footage of the attack shows Ukrainian drones hitting two of these rare spy planes, which are critical to Russia’s war efforts.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) carried out Operation Spiderweb, targeting four key air bases inside Russia and destroying around 40 heavy bombers. The operation was a significant blow to Russia’s military capabilities, with the SBU estimating that it caused approximately $7 billion in damages and disabled 34% of cruise missile carriers in key Russian airbases.
**Rare Spy Planes Targeted**
The A-50s are rare Russian spy planes that Moscow relies on for several critical functions in its war against Ukraine. They detect air defense systems, guide missiles, and coordinate targets for Russian fighter jets. Each aircraft carries an estimated price tag of around $350 million, making them a significant asset for Russia.
**Footage Shows Drone Strike**
The Telegraph reported on June 3 that footage viewed by the publication shows Ukrainian drones hitting two A-50s, with one plane appearing to be protected by sandbags along its wings and the other having tires arranged across its airframe. The video also reportedly shows several Tupolev bombers in flames after sustaining direct hits from Ukrainian drones.
**Ukraine’s Audacious Drone Strike**
The SBU source told the Kyiv Independent on June 1 that A-50s were among the aircraft hit in the attack, but the claim could not be verified at the time. Ukraine’s audacious drone strike deep within Russia took 18 months of planning and dealt a major blow to Russia’s fleet of bombers.
**A Significant Blow to Russia**
The operation comes just days after Moscow launched a series of record-breaking mass aerial attacks against Ukraine. The damage caused by Operation Spiderweb has left Russia with a significant blow, highlighting the country’s vulnerabilities in its war against Ukraine.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
