How Ukraine Smuggled Drones 6,000 km into Russia to Hit Nuclear Bomber Bases in Boldest Strike Yet

In one of the most daring operations of the war so far, Ukraine has delivered a powerful and surprising blow to Russia’s military airpower. Using drones hidden in specially modified trucks, Ukrainian forces managed to launch a long-range attack deep inside Russian territory — targeting airfields that house strategic, nuclear-capable bombers. The mission, planned over a year and a half, marked a turning point in Ukraine’s evolving drone warfare strategy.

The operation was officially announced by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) and code-named “Web.” According to officials, the strike damaged or destroyed at least 41 Russian aircraft — including bombers and surveillance planes — at multiple air bases, some located more than 6,000 kilometers from Ukraine’s borders. These aircraft included models like the Tu-95 and Tu-22M, which have been used to launch missile attacks on Ukraine and are capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

What makes this attack so remarkable isn’t just the distance or damage, but the method. Ukraine secretly smuggled first-person view (FPV) drones into Russian territory by hiding them inside wooden houses mounted on the back of trucks. These wooden structures had retractable roofs that opened remotely when the time was right. Once in position, the roofs opened and dozens of drones were launched from inside Russia itself — bypassing border defenses and catching the Russian military off-guard.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that 117 drones were used in the operation, and that the launch sites were located near a local Russian FSB (Federal Security Service) building — a bold message to Moscow about the reach of Ukraine’s intelligence and military operations. The planning and execution of the strike were personally overseen by President Zelenskyy himself, according to a Ukrainian military official.

The attacks hit Russian airfields in the regions of Irkutsk and Murmansk — both known for housing fleets of long-range strategic bombers. In addition to the bombers, Ukraine targeted A-50 early warning aircraft, which Russia uses for detecting threats and guiding missile strikes.

The result? Ukrainian officials claim the strike disabled or destroyed 34% of Russia’s cruise missile-carrying aircraft, and estimated the damage at a staggering $7 billion. Though these numbers could not be independently confirmed, Russia did acknowledge damage to its aircraft and fires breaking out at key bases. It also admitted that more attacks were attempted in other regions, including Amur, Ivanovo, and Ryazan, though some were repelled.

The operation shocked many observers, including U.S. defense officials, who admitted they were not informed in advance and described the attack as showcasing a level of sophistication they hadn’t seen before from Ukraine. The ability to smuggle and launch drones from inside Russia represents a significant evolution in Kyiv’s military tactics.

But the strike also triggered a strong response from Moscow. Within hours, Russia launched its own largest drone and missile attack on Ukraine since the full-scale war began. The assault included 472 drones and seven missiles, and caused heavy casualties. A missile strike on a Ukrainian training center killed 12 soldiers and wounded over 60, forcing a key Ukrainian commander, Mykhailo Drapatyi, to resign. The strike’s location — far from the front lines — highlighted how vulnerable Ukraine remains to Russian surveillance and missile systems.

The timing of this dramatic escalation is also critical. The drone strike by Ukraine comes just as peace talks are being planned in Istanbul. Ukraine’s Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov, is expected to lead the delegation, and President Zelenskyy has called on Russia to submit a long-promised memorandum on ending the war before formal discussions begin.

With the conflict now entering an unpredictable phase — where Ukraine can hit targets thousands of kilometers away and Russia retaliates with overwhelming force — the world is watching closely. What is clear is that Ukraine’s bold new tactics are redefining modern warfare and sending a powerful message: distance is no longer a barrier, and no target is truly out of reach.