(KYIV, UKRAINE) – Ukraine’s Security Service said 2025 marked a year of extensive intelligence and security operations against Russian military and infrastructure targets, according to a New Year address by the head of the agency, Vasyl Malyuk, as reported by UNN.
Malyuk described the past year as one defined by sustained pressure on Russian forces and infrastructure, citing a series of operations that Ukrainian authorities say were carried out both on land and at sea. He said these actions were part of a broader strategy to weaken Russia’s capacity to continue the war.
According to the Security Service, one of the most notable operations of the year was known as Spiderweb, which Ukrainian officials claim resulted in damage to 41 aircraft linked to Russia’s strategic aviation. These claims could not be independently verified, and Russian authorities have not publicly confirmed the losses.
Malyuk also said Ukrainian forces targeted the Crimean Bridge for a third time in 2025, reporting that an underwater explosion caused structural damage. In addition, he claimed that a Russian submarine was struck while in port in Novorossiysk on the Black Sea. Russia has not provided detailed public information confirming these incidents.
In his address, Malyuk said the Security Service viewed 2025 as a year of endurance and responsibility, marked by complex challenges and what he described as operational successes. He credited these outcomes to the professionalism and coordination of Ukraine’s security personnel.
He added that Ukrainian forces remained engaged throughout the year along active combat lines, claiming that Security Service units were responsible for a significant share of damaged Russian armoured vehicles. He said the agency also focused on internal security, working to prevent sabotage, terrorism and espionage inside Ukraine.
Malyuk said Ukrainian authorities believe Russian intelligence sought to destabilise the country from within while continuing military operations on the battlefield. He claimed these efforts were countered and that Ukrainian forces carried out strikes inside Russian controlled territory where Moscow least expected them.
The Security Service chief said the past year demonstrated what he described as Ukraine’s national resolve, adding that Ukrainians view freedom as a core part of their identity rather than an abstract idea. He said the country would continue to pursue what he called a lasting and just peace.
Ukraine has increasingly highlighted intelligence led and drone based operations as part of its broader war effort against Russia, which continues under the direction of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. Moscow regularly disputes Ukrainian claims of damage to its forces and infrastructure, and independent verification of such statements remains limited.
Summary of claimed operations
| Reported action | Location | Ukrainian claim |
|---|---|---|
| Operation Spiderweb | Various locations | Damage to 41 strategic aircraft |
| Underwater strike | Crimean Bridge | Structural damage reported |
| Naval target hit | Novorossiysk port | Submarine struck in harbour |
| Infrastructure strikes | Russian territory | Pressure on war supporting assets |
