Ukraine Hits Russian Airfields in Coordinated Drone Strikes
KYIV and LONDON — Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) carried out a large-scale drone operation targeting four Russian military airfields on Sunday, reportedly damaging over 40 aircraft used in nightly strikes on Ukrainian cities.
Drone attacks were confirmed in Russia’s Irkutsk and Murmansk regions, where airbases housing strategic bombers, including nuclear-capable ones, were struck. Videos shared with ABC News showed drones hitting Olenya and Belaya airfields, with plumes of smoke rising from the sites.
An SBU source revealed the operation was in planning for over 18 months. Drones were hidden in truck-mounted mobile units disguised as houses with retractable roofs, which opened remotely to launch the drones.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense acknowledged drone strikes in Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur, calling them “terrorist attacks” by the “Kyiv regime.” While fires were reported and some aircraft caught fire, Russia claimed the attacks on several airfields were repelled and that there were no casualties. Some suspects have reportedly been detained.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the operation as a “brilliant result,” adding it would be remembered in history. He emphasized Ukraine’s right to self-defense and stressed that “Russia must end this war.”
The strikes occurred just ahead of Russia-Ukraine peace talks scheduled to resume in Istanbul on Monday.|
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