The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has reportedly conducted a large-scale attack with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), allegedly launched from trucks, on four strategic bomber bases within Russian territory.

According to a report by the BBC, citing sources within the SBU, “Operation Spider’s Web” targeted the Olenya airbase in Murmansk Oblast, Dyagilevo in Ryazan, Belaya in Irkutsk, and the Ivanovo airbase in Ivanovo.

Ukrainian sources claimed that more than 40 Russian aircraft, including nuclear-capable bombers, were hit in the attacks, causing damage exceeding $2 billion.

Targeted bases and regional confirmations

Murmansk Governor Andrey Chibis confirmed a UAV attack on the region, stating that air defense systems were operational and law enforcement and emergency services were on duty.

Olenegorsk residents reported hearing explosions and seeing fires, and it was learned that entry and exit to the city were prohibited.

The Baza Telegram channel, known for its proximity to law enforcement agencies, wrote that the UAVs attacking the airport took off from a truck parked near Olenegorsk on the morning of June 1. The channel claimed that the truck driver might have been unaware of the cargo and had been detained. The Olenya airbase houses Tu-22M3 bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

Additionally, Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev reported that UAVs attacked a military unit in the village of Sredniy in the Usolskiy district. Kobzev also stated that “something was dropped on an old building” in Novomaltinsk and said that Siberia had been subjected to a UAV attack for the first time.

As in Murmansk, it was alleged here too that the UAVs were launched from a truck. FSB, Rosgvardiya, and Ministry of Emergency Situations teams were dispatched to the scene.

The Belaya military airbase, home to the 200th Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Brest Red Banner Regiment, which has Tu-22M3 strategic bombers in its inventory, is located in the Usolskiy district. Local residents also indicated that this base was the target.

Ryazan Governor Pavel Malkov also confirmed the attack on the region. Malkov announced that a part of a downed UAV damaged the roof of a house but no one was injured.

According to Ostorozhno Novosti, the target of the attack was the Dyagilevo airfield, which houses Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 bombers.

It was stated that A-50 long-range radar detection and control aircraft, used by Russian troops to detect Ukrainian air defense systems, might have been hit at the Ivanovo airfield. Officials did not make a statement regarding this attack.

Ukrainian intelligence claimed responsibility for the attack

According to RBC-Ukraine, more than 40 aircraft, including A-50, Tu-95, and Tu-22M3, were hit as a result of the operation personally led by SBU Head Vasyl Malyuk.

The total cost of the attacks was reported to exceed $2 billion. In a video showing explosion footage from Ukrainian sources, a voice, assessed to be Malyuk’s, is heard saying, “Belaya airfield, how beautiful the enemy’s strategic aviation looks now.”

Reactions from Russian Telegram channels

The Fighterbomber Telegram channel wrote that the UAVs were used at very short range, making it “impossible to save the aircraft from attack, like countering with Pantsir, S-300 and similar systems.”

The author stated, “Today will later be remembered as a black day for Russian long-range aviation. And the day is not over yet.”

The Rybar Telegram channel recalled that Tu-95 and Tu-22 aircraft have not been in production for a long time, so the losses cannot be replaced.

The channel’s author assessed, “This is, without exaggeration, a very serious blow to the strategic component, resulting from both serious miscalculations in the work of intelligence agencies and a negligent attitude towards aircraft left in the open without protection even after all the attacks.”

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced it has banned Russian sports teams, specifically the national ice hockey team, from participating in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games to be held in Italy.

This decision is a continuation of existing sanctions implemented following Russia’s military intervention against Ukraine.

The IOC’s need for clarification on this matter arose following reports from Russia that discussions had taken place between the Russian Hockey Federation and representatives of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) regarding the national team’s possible participation in the Games.

IOC’s recommendation remains in effect

According to Reuters, an IOC statement said, “The recommendation made by the IOC Executive Board in March 2023 regarding the participation of athletes with Russian passports remains in effect. This decision is based on the fact that a group of individual neutral athletes cannot, by definition, be considered a team. We have taken note that the IIHF has confirmed its commitment to comply with this recommendation.”

ROC’s membership suspended due to violations

The IOC suspended the membership of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) in October 2023, citing violations of the Olympic Charter.

The primary reason for this decision was Russia’s recognition of regional Olympic councils in the Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

The committee stated at the time, “Such actions violate the territorial integrity of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, which is recognized by the IOC.”

Neutral participation was possible at Paris 2024

Despite strict restrictions, some athletes from Russia and Belarus obtained the right to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

However, their participation was only possible after a thorough review and strictly under a neutral status, without flags, anthems, or national symbols.

According to Reuters, four Russian figure skaters in the men’s and women’s singles disciplines received permission from the International Skating Union to participate in qualifying competitions for the 2026 Games; however, this permission will also only be valid under neutral athlete status.

Differing statements from Russia

In mid-April, Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyaryov, who also serves as President of the ROC, suggested that the ROC’s IOC membership could be reinstated within two to three months.

Degtyaryov stated, “In my assessment, the committee will be recognized in the next two to three months. After the ROC’s membership is restored, we will start applying to host international competitions this summer. There is a high probability of this happening.”

In contrast, on May 25, the press service of the Russian Hockey Federation announced that the ROC had not received official notification from the IOC that the national ice hockey team would not be allowed to participate in the 2026 Olympics.

However, the Latvia-based media outlet Sportacentrs, citing sources, claimed that the Russian team’s participation in the Games is unlikely.

Moscow, the capital of the Russian Federation, became the target last night of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) reportedly belonging to Ukraine.

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin announced that air defense forces destroyed 33 UAVs heading towards the capital.

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that a total of 296 Ukrainian UAVs were shot down or neutralized across 13 regions of the country.

The attacks caused disruptions to flights at airports in the capital and surrounding areas.

Measures and initial assessments in the capital

Following the incident, traffic flow was temporarily suspended in Zelenograd, specifically in the section between Kashtanova Passage and Ozernaya Passage, affecting building number 5s2.

The Capital Transportation Department advised drivers to utilize alternative routes. Mayor Sobyanin reported that initial assessments indicated no serious damage or injuries resulted from the repelled UAV attack in Zelenograd.

Disruptions in air traffic

The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) imposed temporary restrictions on aircraft arrivals and departures at Moscow airports due to the hostile UAV activity.

Agency spokesman Artyom Korenyako reported that restrictions at Domodedovo Airport commenced at 11:50 PM Moscow time on May 27.

Korenyako further noted that similar measures were enacted at Vnukovo and Zhukovsky airports at 1:10 AM Moscow time on May 28, with information regarding restrictions at Sheremetyevo Airport released at 3:15 AM.

The airports resumed normal operations by 7:15 AM Moscow time.

Restrictions were also implemented at airports in Kaluga (Grabtsevo), Vladimir (Semyazino), Ivanovo (Yuzhny), Kostroma (Sokerkino), and Yaroslavl (Tunoshna).

These airport restrictions were lifted at 8:13 AM.

Due to operational constraints at Sheremetyevo Airport and limitations on the use of Moscow airspace, some Aeroflot flights were rerouted to alternative airports or experienced postponed departures.

The airline announced adjustments to its flight schedule, which included the cancellation and consolidation of some flights.

UAVs also neutralized in Moscow Oblast

Separately, Moscow Governor Andrey Vorobyov announced the downing of 42 UAVs in the region and that attacks had been repelled across 12 municipalities.

Reports indicated that three residential buildings sustained damage in the village of Troytskoye, located in the Chekhov district, although no injuries occurred in the incident.

Governor Vorobyov pledged that support would be extended to the residents of all affected homes.

Ministry of Defense: Large-scale attack repelled

A statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that between 9:00 PM Moscow time on May 27 and 7:00 AM on May 28, air defense units destroyed or neutralized a total of 296 Ukrainian fixed-wing UAVs over 13 regions within Russia.

The Ministry specified that, in addition to Moscow and its environs, attacks were also thwarted over the Bryansk, Belgorod, Vladimir, Voronezh, Ivanovo, Kaluga, Kursk, Orlov, Ryazan, Smolensk, Tver, and Tula oblasts.