Ukraine executed Operation Spider Web, a covert drone attack using 20-year-old open-source ArduPilot software to destroy over a third of Russia’s strategic long-range bombers. The operation unfolded on June 1, 2025, targeting Russian air bases. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), led by Vasyl Malyuk and overseen by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, orchestrated the strike, leveraging ArduPilot, originally developed by hobbyists. Using 117 drones smuggled into Russia and launched from trucks, Ukraine struck five air bases, guided by ArduPilot’s autopilot capabilities. The attacks hit bases in Belaya (Siberia), Olenya (Murmansk), Ivanovo Severny, Dyagilevo (Ryazan), and Ukrainka (Amur), spanning five Russian time zones.
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A Masterstroke of Asymmetric Warfare
On June 1, 2025, Ukraine’s SBU launched Operation Spider Web, a meticulously planned drone assault that targeted Russia’s Long-Range Aviation assets, damaging or destroying over 40 aircraft, including nuclear-capable Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 bombers, and A-50 surveillance planes. The operation, costing Russia an estimated $7 billion, was powered by ArduPilot, a free autopilot software developed in 2007 by Chris Anderson for hobbyist drones. Launched from Anderson’s basement, ArduPilot enabled precise navigation and stabilization for 117 first-person view (FPV) quadcopters, despite Russian jamming, using Russian mobile networks and basic modems .
Ingenious Execution Over 18 Months
Planned for 18 months, Operation Spider Web involved smuggling drones into Russia inside wooden containers disguised as mobile cabins, mounted on trucks. These containers, with remotely operated roofs, were parked near air bases, some as far as 4,300 km from Ukraine, like Belaya in Siberia. Each drone, costing about $1,200, was piloted remotely via ArduPilot, which ensured stability despite high latency. Zelenskyy revealed the operation’s “office” was near an FSB headquarters, highlighting its audacity. All Ukrainian operatives were safely evacuated before the strikes, which Zelenskyy called a “history book” moment.
ArduPilot’s Unintended Military Role
ArduPilot, designed for peaceful uses like search and rescue, was created by hobbyists and enhanced by a global community. Its open-source nature allowed Ukraine to adapt it for military use, raising ethical questions, as the project’s website emphasizes non-weaponization. Co-creator Jason Short expressed shock, stating, “Not in a million years would I have predicted this.” The software’s role in destroying irreplaceable Soviet-era aircraft—20% of Russia’s long-range fleet—underscores the power of open-source technology in modern warfare.
Global Implications and Escalation Risks
Operation Spider Web, compared to Israel’s Hezbollah pager attacks, exposed Russia’s vulnerabilities, forcing it to disperse its fleet and hampering missile strikes on Ukraine. However, targeting nuclear-capable bombers raised alarms, with Russia’s Pravda.ru warning such actions could justify nuclear retaliation under its doctrine. Former U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Flynn criticized the lack of U.S. notification, calling it reckless. As Ukraine’s drone prowess reshapes warfare, India and other nations face a volatile global landscape, with potential economic and security fallout if tensions escalate.
-By Manoj H
