Fact Check: "Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb damaged 41 Russian warplanes in a single strike."
What We Know
On June 1, 2025, Ukraine conducted a drone attack known as "Operation Spiderweb," targeting Russian air bases deep within Russian territory. Reports indicate that the operation involved over 100 drones and was aimed at nuclear-capable long-range bombers stationed at various airfields across Russia, including locations as far as Irkutsk and Murmansk, over 4,000 kilometers from Ukraine (AP News, BBC). Ukrainian officials claim that this operation resulted in the destruction or severe damage of 41 Russian warplanes, which they estimate to have a total replacement cost of around $7 billion (AP News, Newsweek).
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the operation was meticulously planned over 18 months and involved innovative tactics, such as smuggling drones into Russia and launching them from concealed vehicles (BBC). The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that attacks occurred but claimed that damage was limited to certain regions and did not specify the number of aircraft lost, stating that some attacks were repelled (AP News, BBC).
Analysis
The claim that "Operation Spiderweb damaged 41 Russian warplanes" is supported by multiple sources, including statements from Ukrainian officials and reports from international news agencies. However, the reliability of these claims varies. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) asserts that 41 aircraft were damaged or destroyed, which aligns with the narrative of a successful operation aimed at crippling Russia's strategic bomber capabilities (AP News, Newsweek).
Conversely, the Russian Defense Ministry's response indicates that while attacks occurred, they downplayed the extent of the damage, suggesting that not all claims made by Ukraine can be independently verified (AP News, BBC). The lack of independent verification is a critical factor in assessing the reliability of the claims. Reports from sources like RBC-Ukraine suggest that U.S. intelligence estimates indicate that only about 10 combat aircraft were destroyed, with up to 20 more damaged, which contradicts the Ukrainian assertion of 41 warplanes being affected (RBC-Ukraine).
The sources reporting on this event include both Ukrainian and international perspectives, which may introduce bias. Ukrainian sources are likely to emphasize the success of their operations to boost morale and support, while Russian sources may underreport losses to maintain a narrative of military strength.
Conclusion
The claim that "Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb damaged 41 Russian warplanes in a single strike" is Partially True. While Ukrainian officials assert that a significant number of aircraft were damaged or destroyed, independent verification of these claims is lacking, and reports from other sources suggest a lower number of confirmed losses. The operation's success in damaging Russian capabilities is evident, but the exact figures remain disputed.
