Ukraine’s security service, the SBU spy agency, has shocked the world with a dramatic and powerful drone attack deep inside Russia.
Ukraine’s Spy Agency Steps Out of the Shadows
This operation, named Operation Spiderweb, badly damaged 41 Russian warplanes at four separate airbases. It was the kind of action usually seen in spy movies — daring, risky, and carefully planned for 18 months.
This is a huge turnaround for the SBU spy agency. Just a few years ago, the agency was seen as weak and corrupt. It had a bad reputation for chasing political enemies instead of protecting the country. It even had officers who betrayed Ukraine and helped Russia after the war began in 2022.
But everything changed when Lt. Gen. Vasyl Maliuk took charge of the SBU spy agency in 2022. He brought new energy, new ideas, and most importantly, trust. Under his leadership, the agency became sharp, smart, and deadly — using technology like drones to strike back at Russian forces in surprising ways.
Operation Spiderweb is just one example. On a Sunday morning, 117 drones launched from hidden trucks near Russian airfields. These drones, many guided by Ukrainian pilots and even artificial intelligence (AI), flew directly toward bombers and support planes. Some of these aircraft, like the A-50 radar planes, are crucial to Russia’s military operations.
The result was a wave of destruction. Satellite pictures showed damage to Russia’s Tu-95 bombers — large aircraft that carry long-range missiles. Experts say this may be one of the most successful secret operations ever carried out during a war by a spy agency.
How the Attack Was Carried Out
The SBU spy agency spent over a year secretly planning the drone strike inside Russia. Drone components manufactured in Ukraine were illegally imported and covertly put together at a secret location. The completed drones were loaded onto trucks that were disguised as regular freight and placed inside wooden crates.
As the trucks approached four Russian airfields, their roofs opened remotely, and 117 drones were launched in waves. Some were manually guided by Ukrainian pilots, while others switched to artificial intelligence when signal was lost, continuing along pre-set routes to hit their targets. The spy agency used advanced technology and careful strategy to make sure the mission succeeded.
Prior to the attack, officials from the Ukrainian spy agency had kept a tight eye on the movements of Russian bombers. They waited for a moment when the planes were spread across multiple bases, making it easier to strike many at once. This timing helped maximize the operation’s impact.
Video footage released by the spy agency showed drones striking several aircraft, including two A-50 radar planes. While not all damage could be confirmed visually, experts say the new evidence shows more aircraft were hit than earlier believed. Additionally, satellite photos showed that Tu-95 bombers were in the area just a few days prior to the assault.
India Ditches Russian Missiles! U.S.-Europe Fill the Void — Is Moscow Isolated?
A Remarkable Turnaround for the SBU
The SBU, Ukraine’s main security agency, has undergone a major transformation since the war began. In 2022, it was troubled by corruption and betrayal, with some top officers secretly working for Russia. These traitors were later removed, and President Zelensky replaced the agency’s chief with Lt. Gen. Vasyl Maliuk.
Maliuk, a career officer, brought discipline and trust back to the SBU. Unlike political appointees before him, he had served in the agency for years and even personally arrested a Russian spy within its ranks. Under his leadership, the SBU modernized its tactics, focusing on drone technology and precision strikes.
The agency developed explosive naval drones that forced much of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet to retreat from Crimea. It also carried out bold attacks, including damaging the Kerch Bridge twice and assassinating high-profile Russian targets using creative methods like an explosive scooter and a bomb hidden in a statue.
These successes have changed public opinion. Between 2021 and 2023, the proportion of Ukrainians who trusted the SBU rose from 23% to 73%. Ukraine even issued a postage stamp to honor the agency’s achievements.
Ukrainians used their own technology and information to design and carry out Operation Spiderweb, a significant drone strike that damaged 41 Russian aircraft. President Zelensky confirmed that no foreign help was involved. Once seen as ineffective, the SBU is now considered one of Ukraine’s most powerful tools in defending the country, thanks to bold leadership and cutting-edge tactics.
