Such a measure may be intended to prevent a repeat of Operation “Spiderweb.”
Anti-drone nets near Putin’s residence in Valdai. Photo: Oleg Kashin / Telegram
Anti-drone nets have been installed about nine kilometers from Vladimir Putin’s residence in Valdai in the Novgorod region, publicist Oleg Kashin reported. This information was also confirmed by Agentstvo.
The published photos show that the net covers a truck parking area. At the same time, it may be intended not so much to protect the trucks themselves from drones as to prevent a new Operation “Spiderweb,” during which drones were launched from trucks. This assumption was voiced on TV Rain by Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT) founder Ruslan Leviev.
Details. As Leviev recalled, for Operation “Spiderweb,” the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) arranged for random truck drivers to deliver portable cabins to specific locations. There, the drivers were instructed to park and wait for a call from the client. However, at the required moment, drones flew out of the trucks toward military airfields.
“These nets over truck parking areas in the Novgorod region are needed precisely so that if such a truck arrives, its drones will not be able to fly anywhere — the net above the truck will interfere with them,” the CIT founder suggested.
Trucks will not park on the roadside because that would obstruct other vehicles. Therefore, Leviev believes that to protect Valdai from a possible repeat of Operation “Spiderweb,” it is enough to cover all truck parking areas with nets.
Context. In late June 2025, the SBU carried out a large-scale attack on Russian military airfields. According to the Ukrainian service, the drones damaged 41 aircraft, including an A-50 airborne early warning aircraft, as well as Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 planes. Ukraine estimated the total damage at $2 billion.
As The Wall Street Journal wrote, those figures may be overstated, according to analysts who studied satellite images. Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed the attack and called it a terrorist act.