SBU Chief Malyuk Reveals Details on Operation Spiderweb, Long-Range Strikes, and Intelligence Efforts

Ukraine’s Chief of the State Security Service (SBU), General Vasyl Malyuk, shares exclusive insights into the daring Operation Spiderweb, and discusses long-range strikes, the deployment of sea drones, and (counter)-intelligence efforts.

CONTENT
Operation Spiderweb
Deep Strikes
Attacks on Crimean Bridge
Sea Drones
Targeted Killings
Counterintelligence

Operation Spiderweb

Logistics

You have to understand that “Spiderweb/Pautyna” is a unique, multi-stage special operation that includes a number of critically important components. First of all, it’s logistics — that is, delivering the means themselves into the enemy’s rear, which in our case means 150 FPV combat drones. It’s the delivery of “houses” that, in turn, transport these assets to the airfields. It’s also agent work, communications, and other elements.

It’s worth starting with the fact that in 2023 the President gave us the corresponding task. And all of us, in fact, suffer several times a week from enemy shelling, with our truly peaceful, civilian population — people who have done nothing wrong — coming under fire. So we are forced to take appropriate measures.

Therefore, “Spiderweb/Pautyna” is a strike against the enemy’s strategic aviation, which is hitting us with missiles — real missiles, cruise missiles. And, starting with logistics, it’s worth saying that w

Starting with logistics, it’s important to note that we drew on our experience in combating transnational crime — specifically, studying in detail how international drug cartels manage to covertly deliver prohibited goods to various parts of the world while evading customs and border controls. Long before the war, we had already achieved significant results in this area, intercepting criminals who were moving record shipments of heroin, cocaine, Captagon, and other illicit substances.

If you read between the lines and view it from a professional perspective, many will see the parallels between the first strike on the Crimean Bridge — involving a truck loaded with 21 tonnes of explosives — and our special operation “Spiderweb/Pautyna.” Using that invaluable experience, my team and I took on the task of delivering the necessary equipment deep into enemy territory.

Along with that, we brought in special “houses” — fully autonomous, so-called hunting cabins — each equipped with LiFePO batteries, solar panels, and other essential gear. These ensured uninterrupted power for the drones, which were already deployed in combat positions. This was especially critical in case the operation had to be carried out in the colder months, when temperatures in those regions can drop well below –40°C — meaning each drone needed to remain fully charged.

However, this also posed a serious challenge: such equipment cannot simply be brought into Russia due to sanctions, making the delivery extremely difficult. I won’t go into every detail, but believe me — we went through seven circles of hell to make it happen.

There were no smugglers involved, but there were Russian customs officials — deeply corrupt by nature. At one stage, that corruption unexpectedly played to our advantage, helping us get the “houses” I mentioned earlier into place.

Special Drones