Ukrainian Drone Assault Hits Five Russian Airbases, Damages Aircraft
Russia’s defense ministry confirmed that Ukraine launched drone attacks on five of its airbases, resulting in damage to several aircraft. The strikes, which Moscow labeled a “terrorist attack,” targeted facilities in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions. According to a statement posted on Telegram, the ministry reported that first-person-view (FPV) drones, launched from a truck near the airfields, caused fires that damaged aviation equipment. The blazes were later extinguished, and no casualties were reported.
Russian authorities detained a truck driver suspected of involvement in the attacks, with state-run outlet Tass indicating that the individual would face questioning. The exact number of drones used remains unclear, though officials stated there is no ongoing threat to the public. The ministry also noted that several participants in the incident have been arrested.
The Ukrainian assault coincided with Russia’s largest reported drone and missile barrage on Ukraine since the invasion began in February 2022. Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia deployed 472 drones and seven missiles on Sunday, with 385 aerial targets neutralized. Ukrainian sources, cited by the BBC, confirmed additional strikes on a Russian airbase near Murmansk, a hub for strategic aviation.
The operation, described by Reuters as a “large-scale special operation” aimed at destroying long-range Russian aircraft, targeted the Belaya airbase in Irkutsk, over 4,300 km from Ukraine’s border. A Ukrainian security source, speaking anonymously to Reuters, said the attack, orchestrated by Ukraine’s SBU security agency, damaged over 40 military aircraft, including Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers used for missile strikes on Ukraine. The SBU claimed the strikes caused $2 billion in damages, with video footage showing explosions and smoke at the Belaya site. Igor Kobzev, Irkutsk’s governor, confirmed a drone attack on a military unit in the Usolsky district but did not mention strategic aviation.
These developments occurred as Kyiv prepared for peace talks in Istanbul, led by Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. The strikes highlight the escalating use of drone warfare in the ongoing conflict, with both sides intensifying aerial operations ahead of diplomatic efforts.