Ukrainian Domestic — 2026-06-03

Zelensky awards SSU officers who participated in Operation Spiderweb, which struck 41 Russian aircraft across four airfields

BLUFKyiv's claimed 34-percent attrition of Russia's strategic bomber fleet, if even partially accurate, constrains Moscow's sustained cruise missile campaign against Ukrainian infrastructure for years given sanctions-era reconstitution timelines.

On June 1, President Zelensky presented state awards to unnamed SSU personnel who carried out Operation Spiderweb, one year to the day after its final phase struck Russian military equipment 12. The operation used long-range drones to hit 41 aircraft at Belaya, Dyagilevo, Olenya, and Ivanovo airfields, targeting assets including the Tu-95, Tu-22M3, Tu-160, and A-50 airborne early warning plane 13. Ukrainian government figures claim 34 percent of Russia's strategic aviation fleet was damaged or destroyed in the operation, with losses exceeding $7 billion 1. SSU Director Vasyl Maliuk personally designed and coordinated the mission; drone strikes were executed by the SSU's Alpha special forces unit, and awardee identities remain fully classified, Zelensky stated 13.

Analysis
Kyiv's decision to keep awardee identities fully classified while publicly attributing command to SSU Director Maliuk signals intent to reuse the capability. Russia's Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 fleet is the primary delivery platform for Kh-101 and Kh-55 cruise missile strikes against Ukrainian cities. A 34-percent attrition, if accurate, would materially reduce Russia's sustained long-range strike rate. The figure rests entirely on Ukrainian government claims, with all sourcing tracing to the same Zelensky ceremony and outlets republishing rather than independently reporting operational outcomes. The damage may reflect aircraft already in reduced readiness rather than operationally deployable assets. Russian reconstitution timelines under sanctions pressure remain the key indicator of lasting effect.

4 sources

Zelensky awards participants of SSU's Spiderweb special operation - ukrinform.net
Volodymyr Zelenskyy Thanks SSU Warriors for Operation Spiderweb and Presents Them With State Awards - Office of the President of Ukraine
Zelensky Commends SBU Team for Covert 'Spiderweb' Strike on Russian Airfields - Kyiv Post
Zelenskyy decorated participants of Operation 'Spiderweb' for destroying dozens of Russian military aircraft - UNN