Ukraine's Drone Barrage Hits Airbases Deep Inside Russia, Sets 40 Military Aircraft Ablaze

Last Updated:June 01, 2025, 20:53 IST

Reportedly, 40 Russian aircraft have been hit by Ukraine in one of its largest operations till now.

Ukraine launched drone-based operation on Russia ( Credits: X)

Ukraine on Sunday launched a massive drone attack on Russia, in what is being called one of Kyiv’s largest operations to date, reportedly targeting four Russian airbases and 40 warplanes.

According to Ukrainian media reports, the operation struck airbases deep within Russian territory, including the Belaya airbase in Irkutsk Oblast, approximately 4,300 kilometers from Ukraine.

Media reports also claim that the Olenya airbase in Murmansk Oblast, about 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine, was targeted.

Several videos on X show explosions and smoke at these locations, though the extent of the damage remains unverified.

The former press secretary of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to X and shared a small clip of the attack, claiming that Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has carried out a large-scale drone strike, reportedly damaging over 40 Russian military aircraft.

She also mentioned that the attack is said to have targeted high-value planes, including A-50 early warning aircraft, Tu-95 strategic bombers, and Tu-22M3 long-range bombers.

The estimated cost of the damage exceeds USD 2 billion, making it one of the most expensive single attacks on Russia’s air assets since the war began, she claimed on X.

In several social media videos, drones can be seen diving toward Russian airbases. Moments later, thick smoke rises into the sky as explosions light up the area.

One clip shows a drone slamming into a parked aircraft; seconds later, flames erupt, followed by a billowing cloud of smoke. These videos have been shared on X, and News18 cannot verify the authenticity of these videos.

Russia Holds Emergency Meeting; Zelenskyy To Send Delegation To Istanbul For Direct Peace Talks With Russia

According to Russian media reports, an emergency meeting is currently underway in the Kremlin following Ukraine’s massive drone strikes.

The attack comes hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv will send a delegation to Istanbul for a new round of direct peace talks with Moscow on Monday, according to a report by AP.

Issuing a statement on Telegram, the Ukrainian president informed that the delegation will be led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov.

“We are doing everything to protect our independence, our state, and our people," Zelenskyy said.

Germany Pledges To Help Ukraine Develop Long-range Missile

Recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Berlin and met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who assured him that he would help Kyiv produce its own long-range missile systems that would be free of any Western-imposed limitations on their use and targets.

“Ukraine will be able to fully defend itself, including against military targets outside its own territory," with its own missiles, Merz said at a joint news conference.

Germany has been the biggest military supplier to Ukraine after the United States.

Russia

News world Ukraine's Drone Barrage Hits Airbases Deep Inside Russia, Sets 40 Military Aircraft Ablaze