Archive · 29 Jan 2026
Ukraine Attacks Russian Bases, Seeks SpaceX Help
Ukraine recently carried out a secret mission called Operation Spiderweb, where they used drones to attack Russian military airbases.
They destroyed 15 aircraft, including fighter jets, helicopters, and a cargo plane, worth over $1 billion.
The attack targeted Russia's transport and logistics system.
This is not the first time Ukraine has used drones in this way.
Last year, they smuggled drones into Russia inside wooden containers disguised as homes.
Meanwhile, Russia has been attacking Ukraine's power grids, causing many people to lose electricity and heating during the cold winter.
Ukraine's Defence Minister has reached out to SpaceX after alleging that Russian drones were using Starlink internet for attacks.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia is now in its fourth year, and it's making life very difficult for many people.
Ukraine's SBU and Alpha unit conducted a drone attack on five Russian military bases, destroying 15 aircraft worth over $1 billion.
The destroyed aircraft include 11 fighter jets, 3 helicopters, and 1 cargo plane, including important MiG-31 interceptors.
The attack targeted Russia's transport and logistics system, following an earlier mission where missile launchers and radar systems were destroyed.
Ukraine's Defence Minister contacted SpaceX after alleging that Russian drones were using Starlink internet for attacks.
Russia has continued its attacks on Ukraine, hitting power grids and causing injuries and deaths in Odesa.
- Who
- Ukraine's Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and its elite Alpha unit, Ukraine's Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, SpaceX, Russian forces
- What
- A drone attack on Russian military airbases, destroying aircraft worth over $1 billion, and allegations of Russian use of Starlink for drone attacks
- When
- Exact date not revealed, but occurred across multiple days
- Where
- Five different Russian military bases deep behind the front lines, Ukrainian cities
- Why
- To disrupt Russia's military capabilities and logistics system, and to address the alleged use of Starlink by Russia for drone attacks
Ukraine
Russia
Use of Starlink
Ukraine
Ukraine alleges Russia is using Starlink satellites to guide drone attacks and seeks SpaceX's help to resolve the issue.
Russia
Russia denies these allegations and continues to use drones to attack Ukrainian infrastructure.
- Operation Name
- Operation Spiderweb
- Aircraft Destroyed
- 15
- Fighter Jets Destroyed
- 11
- Helicopters Destroyed
- 3
- Cargo Planes Destroyed
- 1
- Estimated Damage
- $1 billion
- Russian Bases Targeted
- 5
- Ukrainian Unit Involved
- Alpha unit
- Starlink Usage
- Alleged use by Russia for drone guidance
- Ukraine's Request
- Contacted SpaceX for resolution