Russia’s Nuclear Bomber Force Just Took a Yuge Hit

Dubbed Operation Spider’s Web, Ukraine spent 18 months smuggling small, inexpensive drones into Russia. Once assembled, the drones were hidden inside wooden launch containers, hauled by civilian-looking trucks, and parked near five strategic bomber bases spread across Russia.

That is the new kind of war. 

I don’t know what kind of drone was used or anything about explosives, but each guided bomb probably cost less than $1000 to blow up a $200 million bomber.  That is an impressive return-on-investment.

On the GO order Sunday morning, nearly 120 drones emerged from their secret compartments in trucks spread across Russia and, guided by FPV (first-person video) remote control, delivered their explosive payloads to Russia’s nuclear-capable fleet of Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 bombers.

The drones can be built quickly from commercially available parts, while the bombers are built in production lots that can take years.  Nothing about this attack seems to be technically difficult.

Kyiv claims 41 warplanes damaged or destroyed, including an invaluable (and rare) Beriev A-50 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.

Russia disputes the damage done by the attack.  Since the drones were flown by remote control, operators were using a video link to navigate.  Ukraine would have operator video from each attack, and probably additional video from an unarmed drone flying overwatch.  Both sides know exactly how much damage was done, but nobody will tell the truth.

An operator could accurately place a drone, but the drone could not carry a large payload.  Russia will certainly salvage and repair what they can so it is impossible to say what the final cost will be.

FPV drone bombs of this type are cheap, weak and precise.  Concrete bunkers are not required, just a conventional airplane hanger.  It doesn’t take much to shoot down a drone, but they are small and difficult to detect.  An enemy could send a swarm to overwhelm defenses.

Our military should be paying attention and coming up with effective countermeasures.