Zelensky honors heroes who wiped out 41 Russian warplanes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has awarded members of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) for their successful execution of Operation Spiderweb with a classified presidential decree.

The head of state announced the awards during a briefing, CE Report quotes Ukrinform.

"I issued a classified decree to honor SBU warriors who carried out a significant operation on Russian territory, destroying 41 aircraft. Half of them are beyond repair, and the rest will take years to restore — if ever. This was a militarily just target. I'm grateful for their service," Zelensky said.

On June 1, the SBU carried out a unique special operation codenamed "Spiderweb," striking four Russian airfields: Belaya, Dyagilevo, Olenya, and Ivanovo. The operation successfully damaged or destroyed 41 Russian strategic aircraft, including A-50s, Tu-95s, Tu-22M3s, and Tu-160s.

Remarkably, the coordination center for the operation was located near a Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) directorate.

Zelensky said that Ukraine had conducted the operation independently, without assistance from international partners.

On June 3, the SBU struck the Crimean Bridge for the third time, significantly damaging underwater support structures at the base of the pillars.