Ukraine destroys more than 40 Russian bombers in bold strike deep inside enemy territory
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Ukrainian drones hit several Russian strategic airfields, including a military base deep in eastern Siberia, while Moscow launched one of its longest drone and missile attacks against Kyiv, escalating tensions ahead of crucial peace talks this week.
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More than 40 aircraft, including the Tu-95 and Tu-22 M3 long-range bombers capable of deploying conventional and nuclear weapons as well as the A-50, are reported to have been damaged in the operation on Sunday, an official in Ukraine's Security Service said on condition of anonymity as the details are not public. Ukraine's Security Service chief, Vasyl Malyuk, led the operation, and losses are assessed to be around US$2 billion, the person said.
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Drones were released remotely from wooden mobile houses that were transported on trucks inside Russian territory, according to the official.
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Russia's Defence Ministry confirmed in a Telegram statement attacks at five military airbases across the nation from the Far East and eastern Siberia to locations just several hundred miles from Moscow. Authorities claimed, however, that only 'a few aircraft units' were damaged at two military bases, in the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions.
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The attacks 'were repelled at the Ivanovo, Ryazan and the Amur regions,' the ministry said. Bloomberg couldn't independently verify either side's claims.
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Earlier on Sunday, Ukraine came under one of the longest barrages from Russian missiles and drones, with air sirens lasting for more then nine hours. At least 12 people were killed in a strike on a military training center, prompting Ukraine Ground Forces Commander Mykhaylo Drapatyi to announce his decision to resign due to the casualties.
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The incidents occurred just as Moscow and Kyiv prepare to send delegations to Turkey for a second round of peace talks on Monday. The opening round on May 16 — the first in more than three years — ended with a prisoner exchange agreement and discussions on a potential ceasefire. So far, Russia has not signalled if the attacks may affect the talks.
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Winnipeg Free Press
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