Satellite imagery confirms that a recent Ukrainian drone strike destroyed or severely damaged several strategic Russian bombers at the Belaya air base in Irkutsk, marking one of Ukraine’s most complex operations in the ongoing conflict. According to open-source intelligence analysts and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images reviewed by Reuters, at least two Tu-22 Backfire bombers and four Tu-95 strategic bombers were visibly damaged or destroyed during the attack on June 2.
The strike was part of a large-scale operation that targeted at least four Russian air bases using 117 drones launched from close-range containers. Drone footage verified by Reuters shows multiple aircraft hit in at least two separate locations. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), which claimed responsibility for the operation codenamed “Spider’s Web,” stated that a total of 41 Russian warplanes were damaged or destroyed, with damages estimated at $7 billion.
SAR data from Capella Space revealed clear signs of bombers in debris and flames, despite the challenges posed by cloud cover. Analysts confirmed that even decoy aircraft placed by Russia failed to mislead the incoming drones. Brady Africk, an open-source analyst, said the evidence indicated a highly successful operation with strategic bombers targeted, including Tu-22 and Tu-95 models, both used by Russia to launch missile strikes on Ukraine.
In a separate attack on the Olenya air base in Murmansk, verified drone footage showed two burning Tu-95 bombers and a third hit by a large explosion. The Russian Defense Ministry acknowledged the attacks, confirming that some aircraft caught fire at airfields in Murmansk and Irkutsk, although it claimed air defences repelled other strikes in Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy praised the long-range strike as “absolutely brilliant,” as targets were hit up to 4,300 kilometers from the frontlines. The Ukrainian military updated its war damage estimates, confirming 41 aircraft losses after further verification.
Although some analysts noted that the operation would not fully prevent future Russian airstrikes, replacing the damaged aircraft, especially older strategic bombers no longer in production, would be extremely difficult for Moscow. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) highlighted that the attack would likely force Russia to redeploy its air defences across a broader territory and possibly increase mobile air defence deployments to mitigate future drone threats.
Russia has launched an official investigation into the attack, while top security official Dmitry Medvedev warned of inevitable retribution in response to the strikes on strategic bomber facilities.
