Operation Spiderweb: Ex-DJ, erotic novelist wife linked to Russian 'Pearl Harbor' drone strikes

This combination of pictures created on June 2, 2025 shows from left: a satellite image taken and released by Planet Labs PBC on June 2, 2025, showing a pre-strike image of the Ivanovo Airbase east of Moscow, captured on May 22, 2025, and a satellite image taken and released by Planet Labs PBC on June 2, 2025, showing a post-strike image of Ivanovo Airbase, east of Moscow captured on June 2, 2025. Ukraine said on June 1, 2025, it destroyed Russian bombers worth billions of dollars in a "large-scale" drone assault on enemy soil as it geared up for talks with Moscow counterparts to explore prospects for a ceasefire. (AFP)

A DJ, who used to be popular in Kyiv night scene, and his wife known for writing erotic novels are now being probed for their alleged role in the Operation Spiderweb drone strikes on Russian soil. As per a report by the New York Post, the couple has been identified as Artem Timofeev and Ekaterina ‘Katya’ Timofeeva.

The 37-year-old former DJ had reportedly assisted the Ukrainian forces in carrying out the drone attacks. His 34-year-old wife had also participated in the strikes, the report added. Elaborating the ex-DJ’s role, the New York Post report said that the trucks used in the Sunday strikes belonged to Timofeev.

The vehicles were reportedly registered under a company’s name that was owned by the former DJ. Interestingly, the couple had relocated to Russia recently and set up the logistics business last year.

A fortnight before the strikes, the novelist wife had also deleted all her social media posts, the New York Post report added. Timofeeva is popular for her erotic novel named “I Became Bad While You Loved Me.” The husband wife duo, who are currently on run, were last spotted at their Chelyabinsk flat.

Before the trucking business in Russia, Artem Timofeev had also launched an apparel brand in Kyiv. But the relocation to Russia and registering company for buying trucks has sparked discussion around them being covert operatives for Ukrainian forces.

The stunning attacks under Operation Spiderweb saw the Ukrainian forces launching around 117 drones that targeted five airbases deep inside Russia.