How Ukraine used FPV drones to strike 5 airfields deep inside Russia: All you need to know

First-person view (FPV) drones are compact aerial devices equipped with front-facing cameras that stream live video to goggles worn by the operator, providing a cockpit-like experience. This real-time perspective allows for highly accurate navigation, even through narrow or uneven terrain.

Unlike standard drones that have a video transmission delay of over 200 milliseconds, FPV drones offer near-instant feedback with latency reduced to just a few milliseconds.

Initially developed for racing and recreational use, FPV drones have found a new role on the battlefield. Often modified to carry explosives, they are directed into enemy targets, detonating upon impact.

According to the Atlantic Council, FPV drones are appealing in warfare due to their low production cost and ability to inflict serious damage on armored vehicles and enemy positions.

How FPV drones were used in Operation Spiderweb?

Operation Spiderweb, was reportedly planned over a year and a half by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU).

According to Ukrainian media, First-Person View (FPV) drones were smuggled into Russia well in advance, hidden inside small wooden cabins mounted on trucks. These cabins concealed the drones in roof compartments, invisible to casual inspection. Locals, possibly unaware of the cargo, were instructed to drive and park the trucks near air bases in regions including Belaya, Ivanovo, and Olenya.

At a coordinated time, the SBU remotely activated the trucks, allowing drones to launch and strike aircraft stationed at the bases. Footage released by Ukraine shows clear, low-altitude drone views of Russian bombers moments before impact. Some trucks were reportedly rigged with explosives and detonated after the drones were deployed, killing at least one driver and injuring others.

A NATO official told Foreign Policy that more than two-thirds of Russian tanks destroyed in the conflict were hit by Ukrainian FPV drones, underlining their increasing role in the war.

Russia’s defense ministry acknowledged drone strikes on five air bases, confirming damage to aircraft but reporting no military casualties. Ukrainian operatives involved in the mission are believed to have already returned home, leaving only local drivers exposed to Russian arrests.

According to the Financial Times, a Ukrainian security agency estimates that the Spider Web operation inflicted damage on 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers, with losses valued at more than $7 billion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on posted on X, "Today, a brilliant operation was carried out - on enemy territory, targeting only military objectives, specifically the equipment used to strike Ukraine. Russia suffered significant losses - entirely justified and deserved."

Ukraine has ramped up domestic production of FPV drones, with plans to purchase 4.5 million units in 2025, backed by a $2.6 billion budget reports Hindustan Times.

Companies like TAF Drones are manufacturing drones at scale, while groups like Wild Hornets have developed advanced models like the “Queen Hornet,” capable of carrying larger payloads. These initiatives are supported by crowdfunding, donations, and volunteer tech efforts nationwide.