Sunday morning wake up to all kinds of war chatter.

The special operation "Spiderweb", as a result of which the SBU reportedly hit 41 Russian strategic bombers, was prepared for more than a year and a half. A strategic setback for Russia? A significant part — maybe even the majority of its airworthy strategic bomber fleet (part of the nuclear triad) appears to have been destroyed today involving FPV drones smuggled into Russia via trucks.

SBU claims that today’s strikes destroyed 34% of Russia’s strategic bombers that can carry cruise missiles. And they supposedly have peace talks in Istanbul tomorrow. LOL! If true I'd like to be a fly on the wall for that meeting!

Any op like this would require ISR only the United States could provide, and constant updates all the way up until the decision to launch the operation was made and then additional ISR from the US to assess the outcome. In other words, the US enabled this attack on Russia's strategic bombers while pretending to mediate amid its own proxy war on Russia. There is also evidence the drones used satellite communication to control them remotely, meaning US-based Starlink.

There are many ways to do this, the ground station might have been located where the drones launched, relaying control signals to the drones using traditional signals after receiving commands from the satellite signal.

A signal would go from an operator in Ukraine -> Starlink satellite -> Starlink ground station at launch site -> launch site signal relay -> drone.

Hence the latency that appears in some of the videos I've seen.

This is speculation at this point, it will take time for all details to emerge.

The threat of drones smuggled into Russia to threaten assets far from Ukraine has been a persistent threat for years regardless of the details of specific attacks.

There may also be AI involved, training involving US-provided satellite imagery could have allowed drones to approach the airport, identify aircraft and attack specific parts like the wings automatically. This would have the added benefit of circumventing electronic warfare employed against traditional drone signals.

Quote:Ukraine carried out a massive drone strike at airbases across Russia on Sunday, claiming to have destroyed dozens of aircraft. There are also indications that Russia’s Northern Fleet headquarters, home of Russian nuclear submarines, was attacked as well. Overall, the attack was clearly aimed at Russia’s most prized strategic aerial assets, which cannot be replaced quickly in any manner and doing so at all would be extremely expensive.

“The Security Service of Ukraine is conducting a large-scale special operation to destroy bomber aircraft in the rear of the Russian Federation,” the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff stated on Telegram. “SBU drones have hit more than 40 aircraft, including A-50, Tu-95 and Tu-22 M3, causing damage of over $2 billion.”

The operation, codenamed “Web,” targeted four key Russian airbases: Belaya, Diaghilevo, Olenya and Ivanovo, the Kyiv Post reported.

There was no immediate response from Russian officials.

While The War Zone cannot independently verify these claims, video has emerged showing Russian bombers being struck by drones. We have geolocated the video to show that the attack was on the Olenya base, even though it was widely reported as the Belaya Air Base in Irkutsk.

The Russian air base in Olenegorsk, Murmansk, was also attacked.

Explosions and flames were observed at Russia’s Northern Fleet headquarters in Murmansk. It is home to some of Russia’s most capable submarines, like the Yasen-M class nuclear-powered cruise missile carrying Kazan.

Russian officials denied that the Northern Fleet headquarters was attacked.

“The information about explosions in Severomorsk, which is being spread on social networks, does not correspond to reality,” the head of the city said, according to the Russian Operation Z Telegram channel. “The situation is currently stable. No threats have been recorded. Do not panic and trust only verified sources of information!”

As all of this was taking place, the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff said Russia conducted one of its biggest attacks of the war, launching 472 drones and seven ballistic and cruise missiles across the country. Ukraine says it “neutralised” 385 aerial targets.

Broader Context

As we noted in the opening of this story, the fact that Ukraine went after some of Russia’s most prized aerial capabilities, many of which are directly tied to its nuclear deterrent, greatly ups the ante. We don’t know how many strategic aircraft Russia lost today, but it could be a large portion of its long-range cruise missile carrier aircraft. While these aircraft have rained destruction on Ukraine from afar and are legitimate targets, they also underpin a leg of Russia’s nuclear deterrent. This will undoubtedly provoke a unique response from the Kremlin who has warned that widespread attacks against its strategic capabilities would be a red line.

Update: 11:50 AM Eastern –

The Russian Defense Ministry (MoD) commented on the attacks.

“Today, the Kyiv regime carried out a terrorist attack using FPV drones against airfields in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan and Amur regions,” the MoD stated on Telegram. “At military airfields in the Ivanovo, Ryazan and Amur regions, all terrorist attacks were repelled. In the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions, as a result of the launch of FPV drones from the territory located in the immediate vicinity of airfields, several units of aircraft caught fire.”

The fires “have been extinguished,” the MoD added. “There are no casualties among military personnel or civilians. Some of the participants in the terrorist attacks have been detained.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “personally supervised the operation, and Vasyl Malyuk and the SBU team implemented the plan. 41 Russian strategic aviation aircraft were hit,” Ukrainian journalist Sergey Bratchuk wrote Telegram. “According to sources, this operation was extremely difficult from a logistical point of view. The SBU first transported FPV drones to Russia, and later – mobile wooden houses. Later, in the territory of the Russian Federation, the drones were hidden under the roofs of houses already placed on trucks. At the right moment, the roofs of the houses were remotely opened, and the drones flew to strike Russian bombers.”

Sources in the SBU “emphasize that the people who participated in this historic special operation have been in Ukraine for a long time,” Bratchuk added. “So, if the Putin regime demonstratively detains someone, it will be another staged operation.”

Irkutsk Oblast Governor Igor Kobzev confirmed that drones were launched from a truck.

“At the moment, it is known that this was a drone attack on a military unit in the village of Sredniy,” he stated on Telegram. “The source from which the drones were launched has already been blocked. It’s a truck. The main thing is not to panic. There is no threat to the lives and health of civilians.”

Meanwhile new video emerged of the attack on Olenya.



The large-scale attack comes ahead of a scheduled meeting in Istanbul that is part of ongoing peace talks.

“We are doing everything to protect our independence, our state, and our people,” Zelensky said on X. “I outlined the tasks for the near term and also defined our positions ahead of the meeting in Istanbul on Monday. First – a full and unconditional ceasefire. Second – the release of prisoners. Third – the return of abducted children. And in order to establish a reliable and lasting peace and ensure security, preparation of the meeting at the highest level. The key issues can only be resolved by the leaders. On Monday, our delegation will be led by Rustem Umerov.”


Update: 12:53 PM Eastern –

Ukraine informed the Trump administration about the attacks ahead of time, according to Axios.

The containers with the drones were assembled in Russia, according to Russian milblogger Sergey Kolyasnikov

“We found a warehouse where containers with drones were collected, Chelyabinsk, Sverdlovsk tract 28A,” he wrote on Telegram. “It was rented for 350,000 rubles (about $4,500). That’s why the truck in the Amur region had Chelyabinsk license plates – they were leaving from there.”

The Russian Rybar Telegram channel lauded local residents who tried to stop the launch of the drones from trucks.

“In attacks like today’s, one can often observe the stupid behavior of the native civilian population, when in the fourth year of the SVO they race to film the landings and post them on the Internet, in fact helping the enemy,” Rybar wrote. “Fortunately, there are also examples of the opposite: a video has gone viral on the Internet showing how caring drivers in a parking lot in the Irkutsk region climbed onto a truck from which drones were taking off and tried to destroy them with stones and improvised means. People risked their lives: the drone’s warhead is not the smallest, and what would happen if it detonated is a rhetorical question. But the men still tried to save others, even though they were ordinary civilians.”

“We hope that their merits will be duly noted, fortunately there have already been precedents,” Rybar added. “However, the picture is clear: the failures of some lead to the fact that the last line of defense is ordinary men, forced to break drones with their bare hands.”



Update: 1:20 PM Eastern – [Zelensky going rogue?]

Axios is backtracking on its original story, now saying the attack was a surprise to the Trump administration.

“Ukraine did not notify the Trump administration of the attack in advance, a Ukrainian official said,” the outlet is now reporting. “A U.S. official also told reporters the Trump administration was not made aware of the attack.”

Earlier today, The War Zone reached out to the White House and we will add any pertinent details provided.

Quote:For over a decade I have outlined the exact scenario as we just saw in Russia. It could happen in the U.S. tomorrow. This was a pivotal event. U.S. military and political leadership cannot live in partial denial of this threat anymore. Our most prized aircraft are sitting ducks.

I have focused on this issue above all else in my career. I care deeply about it. The failure of the DoD to foresee what was totally foreseeable, with obsessions with yesterday's threats is such a failure. We need to educate our non military leaders on what this is, a huge issue as well (see New Jersey). So much work to be done. Hardened aircraft shelters is still be debated in the Pacific. We are really in a bad spot here.

The biggest challenge with this issue is education. Many just don't take the time to learn the ins and outs of the UAS threat, there are many layers and nuances, emerging technologies. There are high up people in the military that don't even really understand these basics. Then really terrible assumptions fill the gaps. Our pilots, our troops, our generals, our local officials, need a crash course on all this NOW.

We have produced hundreds of articles on this issue and those surrounding it. Many hundreds, but some critical reading that pulls from a lot of it:

Adversary Drones Are Spying On The U.S. And The Pentagon Acts Like They’re UFOs

Written in 2017 (date stamp is wrong):
America’s Startling Short Range Air Defense Gap And How To Close It Fast

CRITICAL piece from 6 years ago:

The Strike On Saudi Oil Facilities Was Unprecedented And It Underscores Far Greater Issues

This is where we are currently at in terms of homeland defense which is very alarming:

Lasers, Microwaves, Missiles, Guns Not On The Table For Domestic Drone Defense

We have broken every drone incursion over US bases story ever posted but one that I am aware of. For years we reported on this when nobody else would or believed it.

Mysterious Drones Swarmed Langley AFB For Weeks

And our most important naval assets as well:

Drone Swarms That Harassed Navy Ships Off California Demystified In New Documents

A couple bases that are high risk are trying to do what they can:

Protective Nets To Shield F-22s Eyed For Airbase Swarmed By Mystery Drones

Plans For New Hardened Aircraft Shelters Notably Absent From New USAF Base Modernization Strategy


Finally, the most important read of them all because the problem is about to get way, WAY worse:

Drone Warfare’s Terrifying AI-Enabled Next Step Is Imminent

This story is not for everyone as it is about the observations on cultures and the people Herodotus encountered during his amazing 4th century B.C. travels. Kinda surprised he came back alive....
 

Quote:In the 4th century BC, a curious Greek man travelled the entire Ancient World. He wasn’t a warrior… Or a king… He was something even rarer in the ancient world; A storyteller. He travelled for 8 years visiting the world’s most important cities, experiencing countless adventures along the way. His name was Herodotus, and in this video, we’re going to be exploring the stories and writings from his travels in Ancient Greece, The Persian Empire, Ancient Egypt, Babylon, Ethiopia, India, Arabia, Scythia and Libya. His travels began in Ancient Egypt, where he writes about visiting the Pyramids of Giza, and the translated conversations he had with Ancient Egyptian Priests describing the construction of the magnificent ancient wonder. After his travels, Herodotus composed all of his writings into one extraordinary book: ‘the Histories’, one of mankind’s greatest literary achievements - not lost to translation or time. Presenting it to the Athenian Assembly, its greatness was immediately recognized. For his efforts, Herodotus was awarded 250 kilograms of gold. But long before he’d be known as the father of history, Herodotus was just a curious young boy, born in the Greek city of Halicarnassus.

Wondering what RN thinks of the "Buga Sphere" reports.

Sounds like hoax-y BS to me.

Quote:Russians Challenge U.S. Paladin Artillery - Big Mistake, The M109 Paladin in Ukraine's defensive operations near Toretsk on May 10, 2025. This engagement showcases how Western-supplied self-propelled artillery has fundamentally altered the battlefield calculus against Russian armored advances. Through the integration of Phoenix reconnaissance drones, advanced fire control systems, and precision ammunition, we break down exactly how a single Paladin halted a company-strength Russian breakthrough. We'll explore the technical systems that enabled rapid target acquisition, precision engagement at danger-close ranges, and how tactical mobility became the key to survival in modern artillery duels - demonstrating how technology and training turned a numerical disadvantage into a decisive Ukrainian victory.

Quote:This is the U.S army’s revolutionary new prototype 30mil grenade launcher called the Squad Support Rifle System. It’s a portable shoulder fired setami-auto magazine fed nade spammer that lets your average infantryman rapidly engage the enemy with a bunch of different types of explosives. But it’s more than just the ultimate nube tube. The SSRS is a whole new category of weapon capability: it’s not a rifle or launcher it’s both sorta, it’s the American infantry’s first ever precision explosive rifle.

Quote:The Philippines is BOOMING — and this might be the biggest economic transformation in Asia that no one's paying attention to. While global superpowers like China and the U.S. dominate headlines, the Philippines is quietly rising with unstoppable momentum. In this video, we uncover how the Philippines went from being overlooked… to becoming a serious contender for Asia’s next superpower. ? What's inside: – The shocking 2024 GDP growth that stunned economists – $35B in military upgrades and secret global alliances – South China Sea tensions and the Philippines' bold response – Rare earth minerals that could reshape global supply chains – A youth-driven digital revolution – Energy crisis turning into an innovation opportunity

India's mouth piece WION says the American Red Sea operation was a failure after two fighters lost and 7 Reapers destroyed and the Houthis are not destroyed.



I always find it interesting what others think and say unless they piss me off !! hahaha

The division and hate in this world in all countries is sickly amazing

Charges dropped against Boeing in 737-MAX crashes

This is bad news!  Not only was Boeing likely guilty of the charges, they were also charges against Boeing for not following ANOTHER previous ruling which let Boeing off the hook easy.  This is like violating an early conditional release from prison.

Boeing was 100% responsible, in my opinion, for deceiving regulatory authorities in the 737 inspection process, and as a direct result of their own DEI policies and substandard and shoddy QA practices along with unproven, untrained, technology...346 people lost their lives (died) in two separate crashes.  And, even after all that, the practices continued which led to several other in flight incidents with their aircraft.

This is a perfect example of big business being able to successfully lobby government officials into letting them off easy.  It is NOT okay, and it is WRONG!

Very disappointed in this development!

Edit - Plus, the 737-MAX exists for one reason, and one reason only...to extract the absolute most possible money out of the traveling public as humanly possible.  It is a real-world example of stuffing 10 lbs. of shit into a 5 lb. bag!  Everything about the 737-MAX is intended to maximize profits while pushing passenger tolerance to the absolute limits.  I don't know why they put any seats at all in that damn thing!  Why not just have everyone pack in there as tight as they can get them and then shove the doors shut?  Be about the same thing.

So, Trump pardoned former reality show stars, Todd Chrisley and his wife Julie Chrisley, from a decade long prison sentence for income tax evasion (among other things).  More correctly, I probably should have said Trump pardoned Julie Chrisley and her accomplice husband, Todd, because it was Julie who was the ringleader of this whole caper.  These pardons, as a result of tireless lobbying on their behalf by their daughter, Savannah.

Trump pardons Chrisleys

I like Trump generally speaking, but I am NOT okay with these pardons!  This, for several reasons.  First of all, both of them were caught dead to rights evading millions of dollars in federal income taxes (something Trump has stood against).  And secondly, I take issue with persons who are rightfully convicted and justly sentenced for their crimes being pardoned.  It's a different matter to pardon someone who was either wrongly convicted, or who was given an unduly harsh sentence, for minor crimes.  But the Chrisley's fall into neither of these categories and their pardon was wrong.  Period.

I also want to point something else out here.  Just because I may be favorable towards Trump does NOT mean I won't call out something he, or anyone else, does as being wrong.  This, unlike most democrats who are willing to overlook the fact that their guy wasn't even present for minimally the last two entire years of his presidency.  I'm not like that.  I call a spade a spade...and these pardons of the Chrisley's are a 'spade'.

I also have an issue with this little strumpet daughter of theirs being able to lobby a sitting president, any president, to free her criminal daddy and mommy.  This wanna-be pageant queen (who looks more like a guy) should get stopped at the front gate just like everyone else.

That's my opinion, and I'm stickin' to it!

What say you?

A Johnny Somali wannabe is arrested in London after he was held by a man who believed the TikToker had stolen £1000 from him , plain clothes police moved in to arrest the idiot , I do like it when they complain.


Time to start jailing these muppets , looks like Somali could be going down long time in South Korea.

Ti