In a daring and unmatched action, Ukraine attacked several Russian military airbases in five regions with drones on Sunday. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that airfields in Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur were attacked, and fires broke out in several aircraft hangars in Murmansk and Irkutsk.
The ministry stated that air defenses shot down many drones, but several aircraft were still damaged in the two northern regions. It was also reported that no one was hurt and some people involved in the operation were taken into custody.
President Zelenskyy said the operation was “absolutely brilliant” and that it took over 18 months to organize, using 117 drones. He claimed that the attack resulted in real damage to Russia’s strategic aviation assets. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said the strikes destroyed aircraft worth $7 billion, including those at the Belaya airbase in Irkutsk and the Olenya base in Murmansk, which are both more than 4,300 km from Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials claim the drones were brought into Russia and launched from nearby locations, striking as many as 41 heavy bombers.
According to Al Jazeera’s reporters, the attack was the biggest single-day assault on Russian airbases since the war started in February 2022. In a separate incident, a train bridge explosion in Bryansk left seven dead and 69 injured, but no one has admitted responsibility.
The events took place before peace talks in Istanbul, where Ukraine wants a complete ceasefire and the return of people who have been abducted. Even with more attacks happening, the meeting arranged by Türkiye and supported by the U.S. was the latest effort to end the three-year conflict.
