Operation Spider Web: Ukraine reportedly used AI-powered drones to target Russian bomber aircrafts

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Ukraine has launched one of its most daring drone operations of the war, claiming to have damaged or destroyed over 40 Russian bomber aircraft across multiple military airbases. The covert mission, codenamed “Spider’s Web,” was reportedly orchestrated by Ukraine’s security service (SBU) and personally overseen by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

According to SBU sources who spoke to the BBC, the operation had been meticulously planned over the course of 18 months. The strategy involved concealing explosive drones inside wooden mobile cabins mounted on trucks. These trucks were quietly positioned near Russian airfields, where the drone payloads were launched remotely at a carefully chosen moment.

Several reports suggest that Ukraine used artificial intelligence-powered first-person view attack drones.

An earlier report by Forbes detailed how Ukrainian tech startup Strategy Force Solutions (StratForce) unveiled autonomous “mothership” drones capable of deploying first-person view (FPV) attack drones for long-range, deep-strike missions against Russian targets.

How do the AI-powered drones work?

The AI-enhanced GOGOL-M drones are claimed to have already completed operational missions, hitting targets up to 300 kilometers away — a range that traditionally required expensive cruise missiles.

Instead of firing million-dollar munitions, Ukraine reportedly used $10,000 drone sorties that combine autonomy, AI, and modular deployment. Each GOGOL-M drone carries two lightweight FPV drones embedded with the company’s SmartPilot system. Once released, the FPV drones execute precision strikes, while the mothership returns for reuse.

“By pairing FPV drones with AI motherships, we can guarantee precision strikes,” said StratForce CTO Andrii (surname withheld) in a conversation with Forbes. He compared the drone’s navigation capabilities to self-driving cars, though designed to operate autonomously in the sky.

What other tech is used?

The SmartPilot system uses cameras, LIDAR, and other sensors for autonomous flight, target recognition, and real-time decision-making — without relying on GPS or constant human input. That enables missions like search-and-destroy, aircraft ambushes, or even tactical loitering near high-value targets.

“It supports ambush missions, landing and waiting for targets, and autonomous search in real time,” Andrii told Forbes. These drones can lurk near runways or key roadways, then strike at the right moment — mimicking the instincts of a remote human pilot but without the latency or need for remote control, he added.

StratForce says it can currently produce 50 GOGOL-M motherships and 400 FPV drones per month, depending on military procurement.

The blend of AI autonomy and low-cost drone swarms could represent a strategic leap — not just for Ukraine, but for modern warfare globally.