In a stunning escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Ukraine executed a large-scale drone attack on four Russian airbases on Sunday, targeting nuclear-capable strategic bombers in what Kyiv calls "Operation Spider’s Web."

The operation, premeditated for 18 months by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), struck Belaya, a Russian Aerospace Forces Long-Range Aviation base in Usolsky, Olenya, a Russian Navy reconnaissance base in Murmansk, Dyagilevo, a military air base in Ryazan, and the city of Ivanovo, some which are located as far as 4,300 km from Ukraine’s border.

According to Ukrainian officials, the attack destroyed or damaged 41 aircraft, including Tu-95 "Bear" bombers, Tu-22M3 "Backfire" bombers, Tu-160 "Blackjack" jets, and an A-50 "Mainstay" command aircraft, with estimated damages exceeding $7 billion.

The SBU employed first-person-view drones that they smuggled into Russia and concealed in wooden cabins mounted on trucks.

At the moment of attack, the cabin roofs opened remotely, releasing drones to strike aircraft parked at the bases.

Unverified footage shows flames and smoke rising from Belaya airbase, with multiple aircraft ablaze.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who personally oversaw the operation, hailed it as a historic blow, stating, "These are Ukrainian actions that will undoubtedly be in history books."

The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that several aircraft "caught fire" but reported no casualties among military personnel or civilians, adding that some "participants" in the attack were detained

Russian military bloggers likened the strike to Pearl Harbor, with pro-war pundit Roman Alekhin stating, "This is the Russian Pearl Harbour. We hope that the response will be the same as the US response to the attack on their Pearl Harbour, or even harsher.”

Some Russian sources speculated Western intelligence provided targeting data, though no evidence confirms this.

The attack followed Russia’s largest drone and missile barrage on Ukraine, involving 367 drones and missiles, which killed at least 12 people, including three children, on Saturday.

Russia's attack prompted President Donald Trump to threaten more sanctions on the Kremlin and warn Russian President Vladimir Putin has "gone absolutely crazy."

“I’ve always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that's proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia," the president wrote on Truth Social.

Speaking to reporters on the New Jersey tarmac, Trump blasted Putin, noting, "He's killing a lot of people. I don't know what the hell happened to him, right? He's sending rockets into cities, killing people, and I don't like it all."

He also said Zelensky was instigating the escalation for "talking the way he does and causing problems."

Separately, two railway bridges collapsed in Russia’s Bryansk and Kursk regions, attributed to Ukrainian sabotage, killing at least seven people and injuring 66.

Russian officials labeled these incidents "terrorist attacks" and vowed to investigate.

As peace talks approach in Istanbul on June 2, 2025, Russia accused Ukraine of undermining negotiations, with Moscow’s delegation demanding Kyiv clarify its agenda.

Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s demands for a complete Russian ceasefire, prisoner release, and the return of abducted children.

"For a meeting to be meaningful, its agenda must be clear, and the negotiations must be properly prepared." Zelenskyy cautioned.

President Trump was not informed of Ukraine's attack on Russia in advance.

Russia’s Defense Ministry downplayed the airbase damage, acknowledging fires but emphasizing no loss of life and the detention of suspects.

Ukraine’s drone strike is a gut punch to Russia’s war machine, no question—taking out a chunk of their strategic bombers, the kind that can carry nukes or rain cruise missiles on Kyiv.

Ukraine’s playing with fire, and if Putin takes the bait, we’re all on the hook. The world’s watching, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.