The coordination center of the Security Service of Ukraine’s (SBU) operation Web on Russian territory was located directly next to one of the FSB’s regional offices, says President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, UkrInform reports.
On 1 June, the SBU carried out a unique special operation called Web (Pavutynnia), launching smart FPV-drone strikes on four Russian airbases. As a result of the operation, over 40 aircraft were struck, including A-50 radar planes, Tu-95, and Tu-22M3 bombers. The estimated value of the destroyed bombers exceeds $7 billion. Russia used them to target Ukrainian civilians.
In his daily address to the nation, Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to the SBU, especially to the agency’s chief, General Vasyl Maliuk, and to everyone involved in the operation.
According to him, the operation was in preparation for more than a year and a half.
“The planning, coordination, and every detail were perfectly prepared. The most interesting part, something we can already say publicly, is that the office for our operation on Russian territory was located directly next to a regional FSB office,” Zelenskyy said.
He added that 117 drones were used in the operation, each operated by a separate team.
“As a result, 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers at their airbases were hit. Our people were active across different Russian regions in three time zones,” the Ukrainian leader reported.
All personnel involved in preparing Operation Web were successfully withdrawn from Russian territory in time.
“Of course, we can’t reveal everything yet, but these are Ukrainian actions that will undoubtedly be recorded in history books. Ukraine is defending itself, and rightfully so. We are doing everything to make Russia feel the need to end this war. Russia started this war. Russia must end it,” the president stated.
Meanwhile, many politicians and journalists have reacted to the operation, saying that Ukraine surprisingly has the cards. They hint at US President Donald Trump’s statement that Kyiv does not have the conditions to dictate its terms in peace negotiations.
For instance, American billionaire Elon Musk, who is known for his ambiguous stance on the war in Ukraine, has also commented on the strikes.
He responded in the comments under a post by another user who had praised the Ukrainian operation. Musk highlighted the operation’s technological aspect, saying that “Drones are the future of warfare. Manned aircraft are not.”