These are the key events on day 1,195 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
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Russia-Ukraine war : Ukraine drones strike
Ukraine’s Operation Spider’s Web, executed on June 1, 2025, by the SBU security service, marked the war’s most audacious long-range drone attack, targeting Russian airbases in Belaya (Irkutsk), Olenya (Murmansk), Dyagilevo (Ryazan), Ivanovo, and reportedly Ukrainka (Amur). Using 117 AI-guided FPV drones smuggled into Russia inside trucks with remotely opened wooden cabins, the SBU struck over 40 strategic aircraft, including Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and A-50 warplanes, causing an estimated $7 billion in damage—34% of Russia’s cruise missile carriers.
President Zelensky hailed the “brilliant” operation, planned for 18 months, as a critical blow to Russia’s air capabilities, with drones launched from sites near Russian airbases, one even next to an FSB office. Russia confirmed attacks in five regions, admitting fires at Murmansk and Irkutsk but claiming Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur were repelled, with no casualties and some suspects detained.
These are the key events on day 1,195 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
The strike, coinciding with a massive Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine that injured six in Kharkiv, underscores Kyiv’s resolve as peace talks loom in Istanbul’s Ciragan Palace on June 2, 2025, where expectations remain low due to deep divides.
Russia-Ukraine war – Key Points
- Ukraine conducted a major drone attack on Russian air bases on June 1, 2025, using 117 drones in the “Spider’s Web” operation.
- The attack targeted five regions, with Ukraine claiming damage to 41 aircraft, while Russia confirmed fires at two bases but said others were repelled.
- The operation, planned for 1.5 years, involved smuggling drones hidden in trucks, with an estimated $7 billion impact on Russia’s aviation.
- It occurred before peace talks in Istanbul on June 2, 2025, amid ongoing conflict, with both sides reporting casualties and counterattacks.
- Evidence leans toward significant damage, but claims vary, with controversy over the extent of destruction and Russia’s response.
Russia-Ukraine war – Background
On June 1, 2025, Ukraine launched one of its most ambitious operations of the war, targeting Russian military air bases deep inside Russia. This attack, named “Spider’s Web,” used 117 drones to strike strategic aircraft, aiming to weaken Russia’s air capabilities. It came just before peace talks in Istanbul, highlighting the ongoing intensity of the conflict that began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Russia-Ukraine war – Operation Details
The SBU (Ukrainian Security Service) executed the attack, smuggling drones in wooden cabins on trucks with remotely operated roofs. These were launched near air bases in Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur, some over 8,000 km from Ukraine. Ukraine claims the strike hit 41 aircraft, including Tu-95, Tu-22, Tu-160 bombers, and A-50 early warning planes, estimating $7 billion in damage.
Russian Response
Russia confirmed drone attacks in five regions, reporting fires at Murmansk and Irkutsk bases, with no casualties, and claimed to have repelled attacks in Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur. They detained some participants but did not confirm the extent of damage, calling it a “terrorist act.”
Context and Impact
This operation coincided with a massive Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine, injuring six in Kharkiv and killing 12 Ukrainian soldiers at a training center. The timing, just before peace talks, underscores the complexity of negotiations, with both sides far apart on ending the war. Research suggests this attack sends a strong message to Russia and the West about Ukraine’s capabilities and resolve.
Survey Note: Ukraine’s Drone Attack on Russian Air Bases – A Detailed Analysis
Ukraine’s drone attack on June 1, 2025, codenamed “Spider’s Web,” represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, showcasing Ukraine’s strategic innovation and escalating the stakes as peace talks loom. This operation, executed by the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), targeted Russian military air bases deep within Russian territory, marking one of the war’s most audacious long-range strikes. Below, we delve into the operation’s planning, execution, impact, and broader implications, drawing from official statements and news reports.
Russia-Ukraine war Operation Overview
The attack, disclosed on the same day as President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Ukraine’s delegation for peace talks in Istanbul, involved 117 small black quadcopter drones, each with its own pilot, carrying heavy payloads. Zelensky described it as the “longest-range operation ever,” supervised by him and led by SBU head Vasyl Maliuk. The operation, planned for 1 year, 6 months, and 9 days, targeted five Russian regions: Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur, with some bases, like Olenya in Murmansk, located above the Arctic Circle and over 8,000 km from Ukraine.
Russia-Ukraine war – Execution and Logistics
The SBU’s approach was logistically complex, involving smuggling FPV drones into Russia, followed by mobile wooden cabins placed on cargo vehicles. These cabins, with remotely operated roofs, were driven near the air bases, and at the “right moment,” the roofs were opened to launch the drones. Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev confirmed that drones attacking the Belaya military base in Sredniy, Siberia, were launched from a truck, with local reports noting drones emerging from a Kamaz truck near a petrol station. Some drivers were unaware of the cargo, and attempts to stop the drones with rocks were reported, suggesting manual piloting to overcome potential Russian jamming, likely via satellite or internet.
Russia-Ukraine war – Targets and Damage Claims
The drones struck strategic aircraft, including Tu-95, Tu-22, Tu-160 strategic bombers (none in production and difficult to repair), and A-50 early warning warplanes. Ukraine claimed the attack hit 41 aircraft, with at least 13 destroyed and others damaged, estimating the cost to Russia at $7 billion, or 34% of its strategic cruise missile carriers. Radar satellite imagery from Capella Space revealed at least four badly damaged or destroyed bombers at Belaya airbase, supporting Ukraine’s claims. However, Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed damage only at Murmansk and Irkutsk, where “several aircraft caught fire,” while claiming attacks in Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur were repelled, with all blazes extinguished and no casualties reported.
| Region | Base Name | Confirmed Damage (Russia) | Ukraine’s Claim |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murmansk | Olenya | Aircraft fires | Hit, significant damage |
| Irkutsk | Belaya | Aircraft fires | Hit, at least 4 destroyed |
| Ivanovo | Ivanovo Air Base | Repelled, no damage | Hit, damage claimed |
| Ryazan | Dyagilevo | Repelled, no damage | Hit, damage claimed |
| Amur | Ukrainka (reported) | Repelled, no damage | Hit, damage claimed |
Russia also reported detaining some participants, but Zelensky stated all Ukrainian operatives were safely “led away” before the strikes, with the operation’s “office” located near an FSB office in one region, adding a layer of audacity.
Context and Timing
This attack occurred on the eve of a second round of peace talks in Istanbul’s Ciragan Palace on June 2, 2025, expected to start at 13:00 local time (10:00 GMT). Expectations for these talks are low, with both sides far apart on ending the war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, currently controlling about 20% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea annexed in 2014. The timing suggests a strategic message to Russia and the West, showcasing Ukraine’s ability to strike deep inside Russian territory, dubbed “Russia’s Pearl Harbor” by pro-war military bloggers.
Russia-Ukraine war – Concurrent Military Actions
The attack coincided with a massive Russian drone and missile assault on Ukraine, involving 472 drones and seven ballistic and cruise missiles, described as one of the largest single Russian drone attacks. Ukraine reported neutralizing 385 aerial targets, but at least six people, including a seven-year-old child, were injured in Kharkiv early on June 2, 2025. In a separate incident, Russia struck a Ukrainian military training center, killing 12 soldiers and injuring over 60, prompting Maj Gen Mykhailo Drapatyi, head of Ukraine’s land forces, to resign, citing personal responsibility for the tragedy.
Russia-Ukraine war – Russian Counteractions and Broader Implications
Russia’s state news agency Ria reported thwarting an attempted arson attack in the Primorye region, alleging two residents tried to sabotage a railway track on Ukraine’s orders, indicating ongoing cross-border tensions. Russia labeled Ukraine’s attack a “terrorist act,” escalating rhetoric as both sides ramp up military actions. The operation’s success, if verified, could shift the strategic balance, pressuring Russia at the negotiating table, but the controversy over damage claims—Ukraine’s $7 billion estimate versus Russia’s minimal acknowledgment—highlights the challenge of independent verification.
Ukraine’s “Spider’s Web” operation on June 1, 2025, underscores its innovative approach to warfare, leveraging drone technology to strike deep into Russian territory. While the full extent of damage remains debated, the operation’s timing and scale send a clear message amid ongoing conflict and stalled peace efforts. As both sides prepare for talks, the attack’s impact on negotiations and the war’s trajectory remains to be seen, with research suggesting it may bolster Ukraine’s position but also risk further escalation.
concise summary of the key developments on the Russia-Ukraine conflict
Russia-Ukraine war : Fighting
- At least five people were killed in ongoing fighting and shelling along the front line in eastern Ukraine, largely occupied by Russian forces.
- Ukrainian drone and artillery strikes on Russian-occupied southeastern Ukraine caused widespread power outages in the Zaporizhia region.
- Electrical substations in neighboring Kherson were also hit, affecting 100,000 residents across 150 towns and villages.
- Despite the attacks, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remains unaffected and is currently shut down, according to Russian officials.
Russia-Ukraine war : Ceasefire Talks
- Talks in Istanbul between Russian and Ukrainian officials made little progress, but:
- Both sides agreed to swap thousands of prisoners and the remains of 6,000 deceased soldiers.
- The deal includes all injured personnel and those aged 18 to 25.
- Russia presented a ceasefire memorandum, demanding:
- Ukrainian troop withdrawal from four partially-occupied, annexed regions.
- A halt to military mobilization and Western arms imports.
- End of martial law, elections, and a peace treaty post-elections.
- Ukraine must abandon its NATO ambitions, limit military size, and make Russian an official language.
- Ukraine has not accepted the terms and will review the proposal ahead of a new round of talks (June 20–30).
- President Trump is reportedly open to a three-way peace summit with Putin and Zelenskyy.
- Zelenskyy’s chief of staff dismissed Russia’s intentions, accusing Moscow of avoiding a ceasefire and urging new sanctions.
Russia-Ukraine war : Sanctions
- The US Senate is preparing new sanctions if talks stall:
- Possible 500% tariffs on Russian exports (e.g., oil, gas, uranium).
- Secondary sanctions could impact Russia’s trade partners, including India and China.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed readiness to support Trump with tools to push Russia toward real negotiations.
