The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has called a recent Ukrainian military action against Russia one of the most powerful and successful operations seen so far. NATO officials, based on their own calculations, said that Ukraine’s strike damaged or destroyed a significant number of Russia’s important warplanes. This operation is known as Operation Spider’s Web.
NATO’s Big Statement on Ukraine’s Bold Operation
According to NATO, this was not just an ordinary military action. It significantly affected Russia’s air power. The operation targeted some of Russia’s most valuable aircraft, including long-range bombers and a very rare airborne radar aircraft.
The NATO official, who did not want to be named, said that their calculations closely match those shared by Ukrainian sources. They believe at least 40 Russian aircraft were damaged during the operation. Out of those, between 10 and 13 planes were completely destroyed. That’s a huge number in military terms, especially because these weren’t regular fighter jets—they were strategic aircraft used for special missions.
What Types of Russian Planes Were Hit?
NATO broke down the types of aircraft that were affected in this strike. Their data indicate that the attack either destroyed or damaged:
- 15 Tu-95 bombers: Long-range missiles can be carried by these big aircraft.
- 20 Tu-22 aircraft: These are supersonic bombers that Russia uses for fast strikes.
- At least one A-50 AWACS: This is a flying radar system used to track enemy planes and guide Russian air operations. It’s one of the rarest aircraft in Russia’s air fleet.
What makes this strike more serious is that the A-50 is extremely important for planning and monitoring air operations. Losing even one A-50 is a big setback for Russia’s ability to manage its air battles.
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According to NATO, around 34% of Russia’s missile-carrying planes were lost in these incidents. That means about one-third of the planes that Russia uses to launch missile attacks have been taken out of action—either destroyed or badly damaged.
This affects Russia’s ability to carry out missile attacks, especially the early-morning ones that many Ukrainians have unfortunately become used to. These strikes often hit Ukrainian cities while people are still sleeping. With fewer aircraft available, launching such missile strikes becomes more difficult.
Impact on Russia and Message from Ukraine
According to NATO officials, Russia’s ability to launch airstrikes has been severely damaged by this attack. While some of the damaged planes may not have been in active service and could be used for spare parts, NATO could not confirm the exact operational status of each aircraft. Still, even if not all the planes were ready for combat, the loss or damage of so many aircraft in one operation is a major event.
This operation also shows that Ukraine now has the power to hit deep inside Russian territory. The ability to target Russian airbases far from the front lines is a strong message. It proves that Ukraine has the technology, planning, and military strength to carry out large and effective strikes.
The strike, called Operation Spider’s Web, was carefully planned. It wasn’t just about damaging aircraft; it was about changing the balance of power in the air. By targeting the very planes that Russia depends on to carry out missile attacks, Ukraine has shown its determination and growing capabilities.
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Ukraine’s action shows how a smaller country defending itself can still strike back in powerful ways. Even though Russia has more aircraft and weapons overall, Ukraine’s smart planning and strong execution in this operation gained praise from NATO and drew global attention.
This also shows how important intelligence and precision are in modern warfare. Rather than launching wide attacks, Ukraine went straight for high-value targets. By damaging and destroying so many strategic planes in one mission, they have made it harder for Russia to launch future air attacks.
In short, NATO sees Operation Spider’s Web as Ukraine’s most successful air strike operation yet. There has been significant damage to Russian strategic planes. It affects how Russia can carry out missile strikes and manage air operations. Though NATO can’t say how many of the aircraft were ready for immediate use, the number of damaged or destroyed planes is enough to change the situation in the air.
This operation also sends a strong message: Ukraine is not only defending its territory but also taking bold steps to weaken its enemy’s ability to strike back.