Multiple military airbases deep within Russia have been significantly impacted by UAV drone attacks, a pivotal development amid the backdrop of imminent peace talks set to commence in Istanbul on Monday. The Ukrainian operation, which is being hailed as one of its most ambitious to date, has captured the attention of military analysts globally.
According to the Russian Defence Ministry, drone strikes targeted strategic military airfields across five regions on Sunday—Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur—resulting in several aircraft catching fire. While the majority of attacks were successfully repelled, the incidents in Murmansk and Irkutsk led to several aircraft losses. Notably, no casualties were reported, and authorities stated that some individuals involved in the operation had been apprehended.
In a notable affirmation of the operation’s success, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy termed the strikes “absolutely brilliant” in a message posted on the Telegram messaging app. He revealed that the strikes utilised 117 drones and had been in preparation for over a year and a half. “This is our longest-range operation,” he added, highlighting the strategic significance of the coordinated attacks.
The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) claimed responsibility for the wave of drone strikes, estimating damages to the Russian military’s strategic aviation at approximately $7 billion. Targets included the Belaya airbase, nearly 4,300 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, and the Olenya airbase, approximately 1,800 kilometres away.
Reports from Ukraine indicated that the operations were designed to “destroy enemy bombers far from the front.” Drones were reportedly smuggled deep into Russia, concealed within trucks, suggesting a highly intricate operation involving a significant number of personnel. In the aftermath, local officials confirmed that the attacks affected at least 41 Russian heavy bombers stationed at the targeted airbases.
Journalists noted that this marked one of the most substantial single-day airstrikes on Russian military airbases since the conflict escalated. Al Jazeera reported that these bases have been crucial for Russian aerial assaults on Ukraine throughout the ongoing war.
In the midst of rising military tensions, the day also saw a tragic incident in Russia’s Bryansk region, wherein a highway bridge was blown up as a passenger train was crossing, resulting in at least seven fatalities and injuries to 69 – an event attributed by Russian officials to terrorism, although no group has claimed responsibility yet.
Meanwhile, military activity on both sides intensified. Ukrainian sources indicated that Russia had launched 472 drones at Ukraine overnight, marking the highest volume of aerial assaults recorded during the conflict, accompanied by seven missile strikes.
As peaceful negotiations loom, Ukraine prepares to send a delegation led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov to Istanbul, amid scepticism from President Zelenskyy regarding the Russian side’s commitment to the talks. He stated that Ukraine’s priorities for the negotiations include establishing a complete and unconditional ceasefire and the return of prisoners and abducted children.
The Russian regime, on the other hand, has asserted that it has developed its own peace framework but has yet to disclose details, with President Vladimir Putin recently dismissing a Turkish proposal for a high-level meeting.