Lieutenant General Vasyl Maliuk, head of the Security Service of Ukraine, revealed details of the large-scale special operation "Pavutyna" in an interview with "My-Ukraina". He emphasized that the success of the operation was due to "unique synchronization between agent and technical work".
"Pavutyna" stood out for its multi-stage and holistic approach: transporting 150 combat FPV drones to Russia's rear, covertly moving equipment through disguised hunting lodges, agent activities, communication, and technical innovations. To successfully implement the plan, the SBU created a fictitious logistics company in Chelyabinsk, Russian Federation, renting offices and warehouses right next to the local FSB headquarters, according to Maliuk. Five trucks were purchased, and Russian drivers performed routine deliveries to maintain cover.
The operation required the clandestine import into Russia of sanctioned goods, including "EcoFlow" batteries and solar panels, to ensure the drones' autonomy at extreme temperatures below –40°C. "We used our experience from combating transnational crime, like how drug cartels deliver prohibited goods across borders," Maliuk shared.
Each combat drone was equipped with 1.6 kg of a special shaped-charge high-explosive mixture, created specifically for this mission. "The mixture was designed to pierce an aircraft’s fuselage and trigger a powerful internal explosion," Maliuk explained.
One incident nearly compromised the mission — an assistant accidentally showed the drones to a Russian driver, forcing the team to quickly invent a cover story that they were surveillance devices for a hunting reserve. Fortunately, the driver, unfamiliar with the technology, accepted the explanation.
Russian drivers also caused delays — during the May holidays, heavy alcohol consumption hindered coordination, forcing the mission’s postponement by a month.
After the transports were completed, all participants left Russia before the attack, received false documents, and safely returned to Ukraine. Maliuk personally thanked them at one of the combat control points. Throughout the process, President Volodymyr Zelensky was in constant contact with the operational team, personally expediting certain stages.
The actual attack of Operation "Pavutyna" took place on June 1, 2025. As a result, FPV drones struck four Russian strategic air bases — "Belaya", "Dyagilevo", "Olenya", and "Ivanovo". According to Maliuk, Ukraine destroyed one-third of Russia’s strategic aviation, hitting 41 aircraft, including strategic bombers.
The entire process demonstrated the effectiveness of Ukraine's special service in complex logistical and engineering operations, combining field intelligence with innovation and rapid response to emerging challenges.