77 votes

Ukraine stages major attack on Russian aircraft with drones

33 comments

  1. [9]
    runekn
    (edited )
    Link
    This is a very early article, so light on details. This seems, in my non-professional opinion, like a very significant loss for Russia. The official Ukrainian number is 40 aircrafts hit, which...

    This is a very early article, so light on details.
    This seems, in my non-professional opinion, like a very significant loss for Russia. The official Ukrainian number is 40 aircrafts hit, which would a be a complete massacre of the Russian airforce. Though the only source of that is Ukraine officials.

    Here's what I know so far.

    • Four airbases were hit, according to the release: Ivanovo, Belaya, Dyagilevo, and Olenya
    • Seems Ukraine has only released footage of one airbase.
    • Russia has no active strategic bomber production. Every loss is irreplaceable.
    • Drone footage show destruction of at least 5 strategic bombers.
    • It shows that this was not long range drones, but rather short range FPV drones launched from nearby containers.
    • The containers were delivered by an unsuspecting Russian civilian who did not know its contents.
    • Thus the operators were not at the containers when drones started launching.
    • After launching all drones, the containers are seen on fire. I've read comments that this was a self-destruct mechanism, but do not know the source of this claim. Could be booby traps when containers were investigated.
    • At least one truck with containers failed to reach their destination.
    • The coordinated attack seem to be broader than just the official release. New footage also shows smoke rising from Severomorsk port, Voskresensk airbase, and Ryazan airbase.
    • Seen unsourced claims that the drones were AI powered, probably in case remote connection was lost. Trained to recognise and target weak points.
    • The drones were flown across the border, picked up by either infiltrators or collaborators, and then packed into the containers within a Russian warehouse.
    • New OSINT satellite images showing another 6-7 destroyed aircraft from Belaya. I think the first 3-4 aircraft are different from the ones shown in the drone footage, since the aircrafts from the drone footage were facing the same direction and surroundings do not match. The other 3 looks to be parked in protected parking spots which we haven’t seen footage of. The other airframes in the pictures could also have been hit, just with no damage visible.
    39 votes
    1. [2]
      1338
      Link Parent
      It's fascinating that these are now the tactics of warfare. It was only, what, a few hundred years ago when war tactics were things like clumping up men with inaccurate muskets into tight lines as...

      It's fascinating that these are now the tactics of warfare. It was only, what, a few hundred years ago when war tactics were things like clumping up men with inaccurate muskets into tight lines as protection against men on horses. Then again, I suppose this is literally just a modern trojan horse. And as we saw with WWII's bat bombs, clever things can be very hit or miss.

      14 votes
      1. Raspcoffee
        Link Parent
        Yeah I think it's still to early to tell what post modern warfare will be like. What we see right now feels a lot like WW1 - technology is being applied, but it's still unclear what the best way...

        Yeah I think it's still to early to tell what post modern warfare will be like. What we see right now feels a lot like WW1 - technology is being applied, but it's still unclear what the best way is, and how to change things tactically and strategically.

        Wish we didn't have to go through such a time. Though I'm glad to see Ukraine's succes here.

        11 votes
    2. [5]
      SirNut
      Link Parent
      Can you link the videos where all of this was seen? I'm curious now

      Can you link the videos where all of this was seen? I'm curious now

      3 votes
      1. [4]
        runekn
        Link Parent
        I get most of it from /r/CombatFootage and /r/UkraineWarVideoReport. They in turn probably get it from Telegram which is usually the primary source for war footage and on-site coverage.

        I get most of it from /r/CombatFootage and /r/UkraineWarVideoReport. They in turn probably get it from Telegram which is usually the primary source for war footage and on-site coverage.

        9 votes
        1. [3]
          kingofsnake
          Link Parent
          Not sure that I was prepared for everything that sub just showed me, but for such heavy material, I'm always heartened when so many of the comments acknowledge the horrors and terror of war. I...

          Not sure that I was prepared for everything that sub just showed me, but for such heavy material, I'm always heartened when so many of the comments acknowledge the horrors and terror of war.

          I think exposure to that sort of stuff is important for us all so long as the conversation around is consistently about how awful it all is.

          5 votes
          1. [2]
            Raspcoffee
            Link Parent
            Yeah, weirdly enough, I've seen some dark humour at times from places like that but even with that you can often see that it's more of a way of coping than really believing that. At times it's...

            Yeah, weirdly enough, I've seen some dark humour at times from places like that but even with that you can often see that it's more of a way of coping than really believing that. At times it's still unbelievable to me that this is going on in a place I could, in theory, probably get to in a single day if I wanted to. I'll never forget the feeling the morning I woke up to the war starting. Like something was ripped out of my heart, knowing fully well the world would never be the same again...

            3 votes
            1. kingofsnake
              Link Parent
              This whole thing is absolutely insane, but like you, I'm happy to see people find ways of coping with very difficult events. It's a silver lining that costs thousands of lives, but I'm also happy...

              This whole thing is absolutely insane, but like you, I'm happy to see people find ways of coping with very difficult events.

              It's a silver lining that costs thousands of lives, but I'm also happy that the day-1 likelihood that Kyiv would be attacked directly and the whole country taken not only didn't come to pass, but that the Ukrainians and kicking more ass than anyone expected.

              3 votes
    3. teaearlgraycold
      Link Parent
      I fear that unsuspecting civilian won’t be given the benefit of the doubt by Russia.

      I fear that unsuspecting civilian won’t be given the benefit of the doubt by Russia.

      3 votes
  2. [4]
    BeanBurrito
    (edited )
    Link
    I'm impressed that the Ukranians were able to build or obtain drones that can reach Russian military bases AND destroy planes once they get there. I feel weird about praising military actions....

    I'm impressed that the Ukranians were able to build or obtain drones that can reach Russian military bases AND destroy planes once they get there.

    I feel weird about praising military actions. Human beings on both sides who I might like if I met them in other circumstances.

    OTOH, I think of the videos I have seen in the news of people who look like me who have lost limbs, who are standing next to their bombed out homes, bombed out schools, and bombed out hospitals. Those planes make those horrible things happen so it is a good thing they were destroyed. My guess is that those bombers were on the ground and unmanned so loss of life was minimal.

    21 votes
    1. crulife
      Link Parent
      If ever there was an ethical military operation, this clearly was it. A counter-attack against a purely offensive military, focusing on military hardware that they are using for terrorist attacks.

      If ever there was an ethical military operation, this clearly was it. A counter-attack against a purely offensive military, focusing on military hardware that they are using for terrorist attacks.

      30 votes
    2. runekn
      Link Parent
      The drones got smuggled right next to the airbases by civilian trucks, and then remotely activated. So they didn't need to fly far. The smuggling operation is very impressive though. Yes, all were...

      I'm impressed that the Ukranians were able to build or obtain drones that can reach Russian military bases AND destroy planes once they get there.

      The drones got smuggled right next to the airbases by civilian trucks, and then remotely activated. So they didn't need to fly far. The smuggling operation is very impressive though.

      My guess is that those bombers were on the ground and unmanned so loss of life was minimal.

      Yes, all were on the ground. Planes in the air will be too fast and high altitude for these regular quadcopter drones to shoot down. The only potential human casualties that I have seen so far were few civilians that decided to be heros and stop the drones from launching.

      16 votes
    3. Raspcoffee
      Link Parent
      Especially impressive that they managed to target the nuclear bombers tbh. While there is a good chance that most of Russia's nuclear arsenal is ill-maintained, they need to keep appearances up in...

      Especially impressive that they managed to target the nuclear bombers tbh. While there is a good chance that most of Russia's nuclear arsenal is ill-maintained, they need to keep appearances up in terms of being able to use them.

      That, and being able to also hit their bases in the far east must be humiliating to them. When their economy appears to be struggling more and more by the day.

      11 votes
  3. daychilde
    Link
    Good. Slava Ukraine.

    Good.

    Slava Ukraine.

    15 votes
  4. KapteinB
    Link
    Crimea Bridge Hit by Explosion (Newsweek)

    Crimea Bridge Hit by Explosion (Newsweek)

    Ukraine's security service (SBU) said it has carried out another special operation targeting Russia's Kerch Bridge to Crimea.

    The SBU announced it had conducted an underwater attack that left the structure "in disrepair" and published a video of the explosion, which was the third attack against the Crimean Bridge since Russia's full-scale war began in 2022.

    13 votes
  5. KapteinB
    Link
    NATO estimates 40 Russian aircraft hit as a result of Ukraine's Operation Spider Web (European Pravda)

    NATO estimates 40 Russian aircraft hit as a result of Ukraine's Operation Spider Web (European Pravda)

    The North Atlantic Alliance considers the Security Service of Ukraine’s operation against Russian strategic aviation to be highly successful.

    A senior NATO official, speaking anonymously to European Pravda, described the operation as "the most successful" based on NATO’s independent calculations, which largely align with Ukrainian estimates.

    12 votes
  6. [4]
    Comment deleted by author
    Link
    1. [3]
      KapteinB
      Link Parent
      The article makes it sound like the US has no sanctions on Russia, but surely they do? Or has the Trump administration rolled back all the sanctions the Biden administration implemented?

      The article makes it sound like the US has no sanctions on Russia, but surely they do? Or has the Trump administration rolled back all the sanctions the Biden administration implemented?

      1 vote
      1. CptBluebear
        Link Parent
        As far as I know the sanctions are still in place. Some sanctions on individual people have been lifted for various (and dubious) reasons, but the general economic sanctions are in place. Part of...

        As far as I know the sanctions are still in place. Some sanctions on individual people have been lifted for various (and dubious) reasons, but the general economic sanctions are in place.

        Part of the reason is that they're mostly EU led sanctions anyway, so the US has very little leverage. While Trump did threaten to lift sanctions early in his reign, he never really had the power to make a significant change.

        6 votes
      2. PuddleOfKittens
        Link Parent
        The US has primary sanctions (i.e. direct sanctions on Russia but could easily apply secondary sanctions (i.e. tariffs on China/etc proportional to how much military-related gear (e.g. chips that...

        The US has primary sanctions (i.e. direct sanctions on Russia but could easily apply secondary sanctions (i.e. tariffs on China/etc proportional to how much military-related gear (e.g. chips that can be used in missiles) they sell to Russia) - it has bipartisan support in congress, and basically only hasn't passed through congress because congress isn't confident that Trump will actually support it.

        Trump could significantly put pressure on Russia just by explicitly saying he'd support secondary sanctions. Especially when they involve tariffing China.

        6 votes
  7. [3]
    Soptik
    (edited )
    Link
    If you want to help further actions, donate! I use https://www.dronynemesis.cz/en (endorsed by the czech president and with collaboration with the czech army), they buy drones directly and send...

    If you want to help further actions, donate!
    I use https://www.dronynemesis.cz/en (endorsed by the czech president and with collaboration with the czech army), they buy drones directly and send them to ukraine. For wider variety of weapons, https://www.weaponstoukraine.com/ could be used. Donating to the ukrainian ministry od defense directly should also be a good possibility.

    10 votes
    1. [2]
      cfabbro
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      Personally, I'm always incredibly wary of donating to individual companies and NGOs claiming to support Ukraine. But this is the Ukraine government's new, official donation portal, where you can...

      Personally, I'm always incredibly wary of donating to individual companies and NGOs claiming to support Ukraine. But this is the Ukraine government's new, official donation portal, where you can even select which causes you want your money to go towards (either Defense, Humanitarian Demining, Medical Aid, Rebuild Ukraine, or Education & Science):
      https://u24.gov.ua/

      20 votes
      1. Deely
        Link Parent
        From personal perspective I also trust very much "Come Back Alive" (Повернись живим) https://savelife.in.ua/en/.

        From personal perspective I also trust very much "Come Back Alive" (Повернись живим) https://savelife.in.ua/en/.

        5 votes
  8. KapteinB
    Link
    Ukraine strikes Russian missile base in Bryansk Oblast, damages Iskander launchers, Ukrainian military says (Kyiv Independent)

    Ukraine strikes Russian missile base in Bryansk Oblast, damages Iskander launchers, Ukrainian military says (Kyiv Independent)

    Ukrainian forces launched a missile strike on June 5 targeting a concentration of Russian missile troops near the city of Klintsy in Russia’s Bryansk Oblast, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported.

    The strike reportedly destroyed one Iskander missile launcher and seriously damaged two others. The targeted unit, part of Russia’s 26th Missile Brigade, had attempted to fire on Ukrainian territory — likely aiming at Kyiv — before it was hit, according to the military.

    10 votes
  9. [2]
    KapteinB
    Link
    Russian weapons plant hit by drones in Tambov Oblast, media reports attacks across country (Kyiv Independent)

    Russian weapons plant hit by drones in Tambov Oblast, media reports attacks across country (Kyiv Independent)

    Drones struck a Russian military plant in Michurinsk, Tambov Oblast, in the early hours of June 6, according to media outlets in Russia.

    Attacks were also reported in Russia's Saratov, Moscow, Tula, Belgorod, and Kaluga oblasts.

    10 votes
    1. daychilde
      Link Parent
      Incredible. I hope they can sustain these attacks.

      Incredible. I hope they can sustain these attacks.

      7 votes
  10. [2]
    KapteinB
    Link
    Powerful blow to Russia as Ukraine smashes locomotive loaded with tanks and vehicles (RBC-Ukraine)

    Powerful blow to Russia as Ukraine smashes locomotive loaded with tanks and vehicles (RBC-Ukraine)

    Ukrainian forces struck a Russian railway convoy with a powerful attack. The strike destroyed more than 10 tanks, informs the Southern Defense Forces of Ukraine.

    9 votes
    1. teaearlgraycold
      Link Parent
      This week is feeling like Ukraine's equivalent to when Israel hit Hezbollah with exploding pagers followed by exploding radios. The Ukrainian guy I know is really giddy right now. When he saw me...

      This week is feeling like Ukraine's equivalent to when Israel hit Hezbollah with exploding pagers followed by exploding radios.

      The Ukrainian guy I know is really giddy right now. When he saw me yesterday he was practically dancing recounting the last few days.

      7 votes
  11. KapteinB
    Link
    Ukraine downs fighter jet in Russia's Kursk Oblast, Air Force says (Kyiv Independent)

    Ukraine downs fighter jet in Russia's Kursk Oblast, Air Force says (Kyiv Independent)

    Ukraine shot down a Russian Su-35 fighter jet in Russia's Kursk Oblast on the morning of June 7, the Air Force reported.

    Although no details of the operation were disclosed, the downing brings the total number of Russian aircraft destroyed since the start of the full-scale invasion to 414, according to Ukraine's General Staff.

    8 votes
  12. BeanBurrito
    Link
    I read skybrain's summary. I'm even more impressed by what they were able to pull off.

    I read skybrain's summary. I'm even more impressed by what they were able to pull off.

    6 votes
  13. KapteinB
    Link
    Ukraine's F-16 Took Down Russian Fighter Jet in 'Historic First': Report (Newsweek)

    Ukraine's F-16 Took Down Russian Fighter Jet in 'Historic First': Report (Newsweek)

    An F-16 fighter jet given to Ukraine reportedly shot down an advanced Russian plane thanks to the assistance of a Swedish reconnaissance aircraft.

    German newspaper Bild said the Russian Sukhoi Su-35 jet had been downed in the northeast of the country in an operation it described as a "historic first."

    6 votes
  14. KapteinB
    Link
    General Staff: Russia has lost 1,000,340 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022 (Kyiv Independent)

    General Staff: Russia has lost 1,000,340 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022 (Kyiv Independent)

    Russia has lost 1,000,340 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on June 12.

    The number includes 1,140 casualties that Russian forces suffered just over the past day. It marks the first time since the outbreak of the full-scale war that Russia's reported casualties crossed 1 million.

    2 votes