Ukraine’s Cobweb drone blitz exposes blind spots in airbase defenses worldwide

Analysts now warn that this threat may extend to other countries as well, since Ukraine has already shown how effective this tactic can be.

“Defenses against these types of threats remain insufficient — both in Russia’s military and in most other places,” the article wrote.

The report also noted that Cobweb operation highlighted how the lack of protective shelters makes aircraft completely exposed to drone attacks.

The article pointed out that the United States still has not revised its defense strategy for this kind of infrastructure, even at forward positions in the Pacific.

Analysts also noted the recent use of drones equipped with artificial intelligence on the battlefield, allowing them to fly much farther and recognize targets autonomously.

It remains unclear what control method was used for the drones in the strike on Russia’s strategic aviation. Analysts suggested they may have been FPV drones operated remotely from nearby positions. Alternatively, they could have been preprogrammed with precise GPS coordinates.

Cobweb operation 

On June 1, Ukraine’s SBU conducted a large-scale operation to destroy Russian military aircraft. According to NV sources, over 40 aircraft used by Russia to attack Ukrainian cities — including A-50s, Tu-95s, and Tu-22M3 bombers — were hit.

Aircraft at Olenya and Belaya airbases were struck by drones launched from trucks parked nearby. NV sources estimate damage to Russian aviation at $2 billion.

NV also obtained video footage showing Russian aircraft burning at the targeted airfields. In one clip, the voice of SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk can be heard saying: “This is what the Belaya airfield looks like now — strategic enemy aviation.”

Later, NV sources clarified that 41 aircraft were hit in the operation. The mission was reportedly overseen personally by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and executed by SBU head Vasyl Maliuk and his team.

The operation, they said, was logistically complex and in the making for over a year and a half. First, SBU covertly transported FPV drones into Russia, followed by mobile wooden cabins that concealed the drones under their roofs. Once in position on trucks, the roofs were remotely opened and the drones launched toward the targets.

According to the SBU, the strike damaged strategic Russian aircraft worth approximately $7 billion, including 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers stationed at their main bases.