‘Russian Pearl Harbour': Ukraine Destroys Moscow's Nuclear Bombers In Drone Attack
Last Updated:
Ukrainian drones damaged dozens of Russian nuclear bombers and other aircraft, destroying $7 billion worth in a major strike on Russian air bases.
In a major drone attack, the Ukrainian Forces on Sunday damaged dozens of nuclear bombers along with other aircraft when they struck the Russian military air bases.
The strike, in which drones hidden inside the trucks were used, is now being called by the pro-Moscow military bloggers as 'the Russian Pearl Harbour."
The attack took place just a day before the leaders of the two countries were likely to meet in Istanbul to hold the US-backed cease-fire talks.
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) carried out the mission using first-person-view (FPV) drones that struck 41 Russian heavy bombers and other warplanes. The bombers and warplanes were placed at four separate airfields.
Footage shows a Ukrainian drone allegedly hovering over Belaya airbase in Russia's Irkutsk region. The video highlights Ukraine's ability to surveil and strike deep inside Russian territory. pic.twitter.com/sTc6IexGZs — Geopoliti???? Monitor (@GeopolitixM) June 1, 2025
According to Kyiv, the destroyed aircraft's price is at least $7 billion and it is no longer manufactured by Russia.
Russia had originally designed the doomsday bombers to destroy the atomic weapons of the United States and Europe in case an all-out war broke out.
According to Ukraine, the aircraft was converted and was being used to pummel Kyiv with cruise missiles.
According to the reports, Ukraine destroyed Russia's TU-95 'Bear" nuclear bombers, TU-22 'Backfire" fast-attack bombers and A-50 'Mainstay" command-and-control jets in the strike.
One of the bases struck was in Siberia's Irkutsk region. Other places targeted included Murmansk in the Arctic Circle, Ryazan southeast of Moscow, and Ivanovo, which is to the northeast of Moscow.
The codename of the attack was "Operation Spider's Web" and it took them around 18 months to plan this strike. In the video, a row of heavy bomber aircraft can be seen on fire at an airbase.
Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
First Published:
June 02, 2025, 10:06 IST
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
15 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Santa Ono rejected for University of Florida presidency amid conservative backlash
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Longtime academic Santa Ono was rejected Tuesday for the University of Florida presidency by the state university system board amid sharp criticism from political conservatives about his past support for diversity, equity and inclusion programs and other initiatives they view as unacceptable liberal ideology. The Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the state's universities, voted 10-6 against Ono, who was most recently president of the University of Michigan. The University of Florida Board of Trustees had voted unanimously in May to approve Ono as the school's 14th president, and it is unprecedented for the governors to reverse such an action. Ono's proposed contract included a number of ideological requirements, such as how well he stopped programs that focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI. He was to cooperate with Gov. Ron DeSantis' Office of Government Efficiency — similar to the office created by President Donald Trump — and appoint other university officials and deans who are 'firmly aligned' with Florida's approach. Several prominent conservatives raised questions about Ono before the vote over pro-Palestinian protests, climate change efforts, gender ideology and DEI programs at the University of Michigan and his previous academic positions. These actions, Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said on the X social platform, show 'he is willing to appease and prioritize far-left activists over ensuring students are protected and receive a quality education.' Others raising objections include Donald Trump Jr. and Florida GOP U.S. Reps. Byron Donalds, Greg Steube and Jimmy Patronis. Donalds is a Republican candidate for governor. Writing in Inside Higher Ed, Ono said he supported DEI initiatives at first because they aim was 'equal opportunity and fairness for every student.' 'But over time, I saw how DEI became something else — more about ideology, division and bureaucracy, not student success,' Ono wrote, adding that he eventually limited DEI offices at Michigan. 'I believe in Florida's vision for higher education.' DeSantis, a Republican who has pushed reforms in higher education to eliminate what he calls 'woke' policies such as DEI, did not take a public stand on Ono but did say at a recent news conference that some of his statements made the governor 'cringe.' Ono faced similar pointed questions at Tuesday's meeting — especially from former Republican state House speakers Paul Renner and Jose Oliva — leading board member Charles Lydecker to object to the procedure. 'We have never used this as a forum to interrogate. This is not a court of law. Candidly, this process does not seem fair to me," Lydecker said. Oliva, however, questioned how to square Ono's many past statements about hot-button cultural issues with his more conservative stance now that he sought the Florida job. 'Now we are told to believe you are now abandoning an entire ideological architecture," Oliva said. 'We are asking someone to lead our flagship university. I don't understand how it becomes unfair.' Ono was to replace Kent Fuchs, who became the school's temporary, interim president last summer after ex-U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse stepped down. Sasse left the U.S. Senate, where he had represented Nebraska, to become the university's president in 2023. Sasse announced in July he was leaving the job after his wife was diagnosed with epilepsy. Later reports surfaced that Sasse gave six former staffers and two former Republican officials jobs with salaries that outstripped comparable positions and spent over $1.3 million on private catering for lavish dinners, football tailgates and extravagant social functions in his first year on the job. Ono is also former president of the University of British Columbia and the University of Cincinnati. i.
Mint
31 minutes ago
- Mint
Putin's ally Dmitry Medvedev declares Russia's true goal in Ukraine peace talks: ‘No compromise, only victory'
Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian President and current deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, asserted on Tuesday that the ongoing peace talks with Ukraine are designed to ensure a swift and complete Russian victory rather than seek a compromise. Clarifying Russia's intent behind the Istanbul peace talks, Medvedev wrote on Telegram: "The Istanbul talks are not for striking a compromise peace on someone else's delusional terms but for ensuring our swift victory and the complete destruction of the neo-Nazi regime," in remarks underscoring Moscow's hardline stance amid stalled negotiations. Speaking on Telegram, Medvedev addressed those concerned about Russian military actions, stating: "To everyone who is worried and waiting for retribution. It's right to worry – that's what normal people do. Retribution is inevitable." He added that Russian forces would continue their advance unabated: "Our Army is pushing forward and will continue to advance. Everything that needs to be blown up will be blown up, and those who must be eliminated will be." Medvedev was referring to a Russian memorandum presented to Ukraine during talks in Istanbul on Monday. The demands included Ukraine handing over more territory, adopting neutrality, limiting its military size, and holding new elections. The talks, lasting only an hour, resulted in an agreement on a prisoner swap and the exchange of 12,000 bodies but failed to secure a ceasefire. Moscow offered a limited, temporary ceasefire for select frontline areas, while Kyiv insisted on a full and unconditional truce. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov cautioned that the conflict's resolution was complex: "The settlement issue is extremely complex and involves a large number of nuances. It would be wrong to expect immediate solutions and breakthroughs." Peskov dismissed prospects of a summit between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States in the near future, stating it could only happen after negotiators reach an agreement. This contrasts with US President Donald Trump's openness to such a meeting, supported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Despite talks, violence continues. Zelensky condemned a Russian rocket attack on the city of Sumy, which killed four civilians and lies near the Russian border. He called the attack proof of Moscow's disregard for peace: "The attack says everything one needs to know about Russia's so-called 'desire' to end this war." Russian forces recently captured the village of Andriivka in the Sumy region as they seek to establish a buffer zone. Ukraine's security service claimed a successful underwater attack on the Crimean bridge connecting Russia to the annexed peninsula, leading to a temporary closure. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian delegation arrived in Washington for talks on defense aid and potential new sanctions. Donald Trump, who has expressed confidence in ending the conflict swiftly if re-elected, has criticised both Putin and Zelensky but refrained from imposing new sanctions on Russia as the war extends.
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
"Bhagwant Mann was comedian before joining politics": Haryana minister Anil Vij over Punjab CM's statement on Op Sindoor
New Delhi [India], June 3 (ANI): Haryana minister Anil Vij on Tuesday slammed Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's recent remarks on Operation Sindoor and said that Mann's background as a comedian is evident in his attempt to inject humor into politics. Vij emphasised that certain issues should be treated with seriousness and not mocked. 'The Punjab Chief Minister was a comedian before joining politics. He wants to do comedy in politics, too. Such issues should be taken seriously and should not be mocked,' said Vij. Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu accused the Aam Aadmi Party of being pro-Pakistan and questioned their patriotism. Bittu said, 'The statements show how cheap and vile things the Aam Aadmi Party and their Chief Minister can say. The NDA government at the Centre has defeated Pakistan, and you are not able to tolerate it. Will you say anything to show that you stand with Pakistan? ... The country will not forgive you for the words you used against PM Modi today... ?' In a self-made video, Bajwa called Mann's remarks as 'shameful' and said the chief minister is unable to understand the value of his role. 'This is very shameful. Comedians look good on stage, but Bhagwant Mann does not understand the value of the CM's chair. What kind of joke is this? ... I think it is shameful for the CM to joke about such a thing,' Bajwa remarked. Meanwhile, BJP leader Fatehjung Singh Bajwa also criticised Mann's statement, calling it 'shameful.' 'This is very shameful. Comedians look good on stage, but Bhagwant Mann does not understand the value of the CM's chair. What kind of joke is this? ... I think it is shameful for the CM to joke about such a thing,' Bajwa said. Earlier today, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stirred a controversy after he said that the BJP has turned 'Operation Sindoor' into a joke, asking whether this is a 'One nation, one husband' scheme. 'Did you not see the kind of fun made of Sindoor? What is this - one nation, one husband scheme?' CM Mann said. On May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor as a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists in which 26 people were killed. Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. After India's strike on terror infrastructure, Pakistan responded with cross-border shelling across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and the International Border, as well as attempted drone attacks targeting civilian areas along the border regions. In response, India neutralised Pakistani air defence apparatus, radar infrastructure, and communication centres, and inflicted heavy damage across 11 airbases in Pakistan. After this, on May 10, an understanding on the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan was announced. (ANI)
