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Russian Truck Drivers Reveal How They Unwittingly Became Pawns in Operation Spiderweb

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Maryna_kulakova
Maryna Kulakova
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Russian Truck Drivers Reveal How They Unwittingly Became Pawns in Operation Spiderweb
FPV drone launch from a truck container during operation "Spiderweb," June 1, 2025. (Source: Militarnyi)

The truck drivers who unknowingly delivered strike drones to Russian strategic airbases were monitored throughout their journeys and unaware of the true nature of their cargo, according to Russian investigative outlet Baza, citing interrogation records, on June 2.

One driver, 55-year-old Alexander Z. from Chelyabinsk, told investigators he was working for a vehicle owned by 37-year-old Artem, who had been contracted by a businessman in Murmansk to transport four modular homes from Chelyabinsk to the Kola district. After agreeing on a price, Alexander loaded the cargo and began the trip. Along the route, he received instructions by phone from an unidentified man who told him when and where to stop. His final stop was near a Rosneft gas station close to a military airfield in Murmansk region—the site from which drones were ultimately launched.

A similar account came from 61-year-old Andrey M., also driving a truck owned by Artem. He said he was instructed to deliver prefabricated homes to the Irkutsk region. But after parking near a café in Usolye-Sibirskoye, drones unexpectedly began launching from the back of his vehicle.

Other drivers described nearly identical experiences in Ryazan and Ivanovo regions. One, 46-year-old Serhii, said he was transporting a modular home from Chelyabinsk when the roof of the cargo container was suddenly torn off in motion as he entered Ryazan—and drones began taking off mid-route.

Another truck involved in the June 1 strike on the Ivanovo airfield was also loaded in Chelyabinsk. That driver confirmed his truck belonged to the same individual, Artem.

According to Baza, Russian authorities have launched a terrorism investigation and are currently searching for Artem, who is reportedly a native of Ukraine.

The day before, Russian Telegram channels reported that the location where the drones were assembled had been identified as a warehouse in Chelyabinsk at 28A Sverdlovsky Trakt. The facility was allegedly identified using photos released by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU). Russian security forces reportedly raided the site shortly afterward.

In the aftermath of Ukraine’s “Spiderweb” operation, Russian law enforcement began mass searches of trucks suspected of transporting drones. Residents of Irkutsk region reported extensive traffic jams caused by police checkpoints inspecting cargo trucks.

SBU has confirmed it carried out operation Spiderweb, which targeted Russian strategic aviation. The strikes damaged or destroyed 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers at the Olenya, Belaya, Dyagilevo, and Ivanovo airfields.

According to Hromadske, citing SBU sources, the operation was over 18 months in the making and involved a complex deception campaign deep inside Russia. It was reportedly overseen by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and executed by the SBU under Vasyl Malyuk’s leadership.

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