https://share.google/aimode/Y1ymWuwrNlXW6vmRN Ukraine’s recent drone attacks deep inside Russia: Were the drones secretly prepared and hidden ahead of the attacks or flew from Ukraine at the time of the attacks? ahead of time and launched them from within the country. Other attacks have been carried out by new Ukrainian-made long-range drones flying directly from Ukrainian territory. For some drone attacks deep inside Russia, Ukraine secretly smuggled the drones into Russia Drones launched from within Russia In a major, coordinated attack on Russian airbases on June 1, 2025, Ukraine used drones that had been pre-staged inside Russian territory. Operation Spiderweb: This covert operation, con

share.google/aimode/Y1ymWuwr…
Ukraine’s recent drone attacks deep inside Russia: Were the drones secretly prepared and hidden ahead of the attacks or flew from Ukraine at the time of the attacks?
ahead of time and launched them from within the country. Other attacks have been carried out by new Ukrainian-made long-range drones flying directly from Ukrainian territory.
For some drone attacks deep inside Russia,
Ukraine secretly smuggled the drones into Russia
Drones launched from within Russia
In a major, coordinated attack on Russian airbases on June 1, 2025, Ukraine used drones that had been pre-staged inside Russian territory.
Operation Spiderweb: This covert operation, conducted by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), involved secretly moving drones into Russia over several months.
Method of transport: The drones were concealed in special wooden containers with remotely controlled lids and transported on trucks.
Launch and targets: When the time came, the trucks parked near Russian airbases. The lids of the containers opened remotely, and the drones were launched for short-distance strikes. This allowed strikes on targets in Siberia and the Arctic region, thousands of kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
Long-range drones flying from Ukraine
Ukraine has also developed a range of drones capable of reaching targets deep inside Russia without needing to be hidden beforehand. A key figure in Ukraine’s drone program stated in October 2025 that their drones are flying distances of up to 2,000 kilometers (1,242 miles) to strike Russian oil facilities.
Examples of long-range drones flying from Ukraine:
FP-1: This drone, developed by a Ukrainian startup, can reportedly travel up to 1,600 kilometers (994 miles) and is credited with 60% of Ukraine’s deep strikes inside Russia as of August 2025.
“Beaver” drones: This model has a reported range of 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) and has been used to attack Moscow and other locations.
AI-powered drone: In October 2025, reports indicated that Ukraine was using an AI-powered strike drone called the ARM 20, capable of flying 1,600 kilometers to its target.
Why Ukraine uses both methods
These two different approaches are used to overcome different challenges and exploit vulnerabilities in Russia’s defense systems.
Internal launches: By launching from inside Russia, drones can evade long-range radar detection and other air defense systems. This tactic relies on secrecy and surprise to attack targets that would otherwise be out of reach.
External long-range launches: By advancing drone technology, Ukraine can hit strategic targets from its own territory. This approach is more sustainable and avoids the complex logistics of smuggling materials and operatives across enemy lines.

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Oct 25, 2025