Operation Spider’s Web was an audacious Ukrainian sneak attack that caused billions of dollars in damage to Russian warplanes — using drones that cost as little as $600.

Marc Santora, a reporter covering the war in Ukraine for The New York Times, explains why this strike on Sunday, which extended 3,000 miles into Russia, is already being seen as a signal event in the evolution of modern warfare.

Guest: Marc Santora, has been reporting from Ukraine since the beginning of the war with Russia.

Background reading

In its attacks on Russian airfields, Ukraine aimed for a strategic and symbolic blow.

Ukraine showed it can still flip the script on how wars are waged.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Photo: Capella Space/Handout, via Reuters

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