How Ukraine secretly delivered FPV drones to Russia?

On June 1, Ukraine carried out a major attack targeting multiple Russian airbases deep inside Russia. This strike marked one of the most significant drone assaults on Russian military infrastructure since the conflict began. Ukrainian officials reported that the operation caused substantial damage to Russian aircraft parked at these bases.

The attack involved swarms of low-cost First-Person View (FPV) drones. These drones are equipped with cameras that allow operators to see exactly what the drone “sees” in real time. This technology helped Ukraine carry out precise strikes on key targets. The drones targeted Russian warplanes, including bombers and surveillance aircraft, causing severe damage.

BREAKING 🇺🇦vs🇷🇺: This might be one of the most badass moments of this whole war. Ukraine tricked random Russian truck drivers into hauling their FPV drones deep into Russia, right near nuclear bomber airfields. No clue what they were moving.

Then boom 💥 Ukraine unloaded those… pic.twitter.com/OrLyZB4CqY

— Mario 🇺🇸🇵🇱🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@PawlowskiMario) June 1, 2025

Ukraine’s use of these drones shows a shift in tactics. Instead of relying on expensive, high-flying drones, they used smaller, cheaper, and harder-to-detect FPV drones launched very close to the targets. This new approach allowed Ukraine to penetrate deep into Russian territory and strike valuable military assets with surprising accuracy.

What are FPV drones?

FPV drones, or First-Person View drones, are small unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with cameras that transmit live video footage to the operator. This allows the person controlling the drone to see exactly what the drone sees in real time, as if they were sitting inside it. Operators use special goggles or screens to navigate the drone with precision, making FPV drones ideal for close-range flights and detailed surveillance.

Ukrainian Security Service has been preparing operation "Spiderweb" for 1,5 years. Drones were smuggled into Russia and prepared to be launched from wooden mobile homes placed on civilian trucks. Drones were launched from distance and made real time video of hits #SBU #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/jpsj5E57iK

— Бойові Бджоли / The Battle Bees (@battle_bees) June 1, 2025

These drones are typically lightweight and agile, which helps them avoid detection and fly through tight spaces. Unlike traditional military drones that fly high and provide broad images, FPV drones fly low and close to their targets. This lets operators carry out precise attacks or gather detailed information, making FPV drones useful for both reconnaissance and offensive operations.

How did Ukraine smuggle drones Into Russia?

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) planned the drone operation carefully and smuggled the FPV drones into Russia well before the attack, as per Ukrainian media. The drones were hidden in secret compartments built into the roofs of small wooden cabins. These cabins were then packed inside wooden containers and loaded onto trucks, making the drones hard to detect.

Photos released show several rows of quadcopter drones arranged neatly on top of the cabins inside the containers. The cabins looked like ordinary mobile wooden houses, helping them avoid suspicion during transport. The hidden compartments on the roofs had lids that could be opened remotely to release the drones at the right time.

Local drivers, possibly unaware of the drones hidden on the cabin roofs, drove the trucks into Russia and parked them near Russian airbases. After parking, the drivers were instructed to leave. At the designated moment, the SBU remotely opened the cabin roofs, allowing the drones to fly out and carry out the attack.

Igor Kobzev, governor of Irkutsk, confirmed drones launched from trucks attacked the Sredniy airbase in Siberia.

Ukraine claims to have destroyed over 40 Russian aircraft, including valuable Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 strategic bombers and an A-50 early warning plane. These bombers are no longer in production, making them hard to replace. The SBU estimates Russia’s losses at more than $2 billion.

Planning and secrecy

The operation did not end with the drone attack. The trucks carrying the drones were rigged with explosives. Videos show massive fireballs when Russian soldiers tried to inspect the trucks after the drones flew away.

One truck driver reportedly died after returning to check his vehicle. Another driver has been arrested by Russian police.

Ukrainian officials say they spent 1 to 1.5 years planning “Operation Spiderweb.” Those who carried out the plan have already returned to Ukraine. Only the drivers and helpers, unaware of the full operation, remain at risk of arrest in Russia.

Why this attack matters?

Ukraine’s use of low-cost drones and covert tactics highlights a new form of warfare. By smuggling drones inside enemy territory and launching them from close range, Ukraine struck deep into Russian air defenses without risking expensive aircraft or pilots.

This operation shows how old-fashioned smuggling, simple drones costing under $500, and clever planning can inflict major damage on high-value military targets worth billions of dollars.

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