The Washington Post: Satellite images document Russia’s losses after the Ukrainian attack
The Washington Post reported that at least 13 Russian military aircraft were damaged as a result of Ukrainian attacks targeting air bases deep inside Russia, based on satellite imagery.
The images showed damage to at least eight Tu-95 bombers, long-range aircraft capable of carrying nuclear warheads and frequently used in Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory.
According to geospatial analyst William Goodhind of the Contested Ground project confirms that these bombers were among the targets of the Ukrainian operation.
The Washington Post explained that this information came after a comprehensive review of satellite imagery and verified video footage.
The operation, codenamed “Spider Web,” involved smuggling drones into Russian territory, hidden inside camouflaged boxes mounted on trucks. Once they arrived at specific locations, they were used to target strategic bombers, some of which were capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
According to Ukrainian statements, these strikes destroyed or severely damaged more than 40 aircraft, while Russia only acknowledged damage to an unspecified number of aircraft due to a fire outbreak.
Independent analysts, relying on open sources, estimate the number of damaged aircraft at between 10 and 12.
Several reports described the Ukrainian strike as a “severe blow” to the Russian air force.
A Financial Times report noted that the operation was carried out after meticulous planning spanning 18 months.
The goal was to secretly transport drones over long distances and carry out surprise attacks on Russian bases thousands of kilometers from Ukraine.
Military analyst Michael Kofman of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace explained that these attacks have reduced Russia’s ability to launch long-range strikes, adding that the lost aircraft are difficult for Moscow to replace at this time.
Although these strikes may not completely halt Russian air operations, they indicate the increasing cost of the war for Russia, not only militarily, but also in terms of its image as a great power.
According to analysis published in the Financial Times, approximately 20% of Russia’s operational strategic bombers were damaged during the operation, representing a significant loss.
Fabian Hoffman of the University of Oslo emphasized that these aircraft were among the most operational, while many others were undergoing maintenance, making their loss even more painful.
William Alberke, a former NATO official, also explained that these aircraft were involved in targeting infrastructure and civilian targets in Ukraine during the recent bombing campaign, highlighting the operational importance of the destroyed aircraft.
