Ukrainian drone strikes on five airbases, 40 aircraft destroyed, confirms Russia

In a significant escalation of its military campaign, Ukraine has carried out large-scale drone strikes on five key Russian airbases, confirming widespread damage and reportedly destroying over 40 Russian aircraft. The attacks, which targeted military airfields in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions, mark one of the most ambitious Ukrainian offensives inside Russian territory.

The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed on Sunday that multiple drone attacks hit five airbases across Russia, damaging several aircraft. Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) claimed that the drone strikes were part of an operation planned over 11 months, and at least 40 Russian aircraft were destroyed, including the TU-95 and TU-22 strategic bombers, which are capable of carrying nuclear payloads.

“These strikes were carried out using FPV (First-Person View) drones,” said a statement from Russia’s MoD. "Several aircraft caught fire as a result of the drone attacks, but the fires were extinguished. No casualties were reported among either civilians or military personnel," the statement added.

The targeted airbases include Olenya and Belaya, which house critical Russian assets, such as the Tupolev Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers, as well as A-50 AWACS surveillance aircraft. Ukrainian authorities have claimed that these bases were severely damaged, with the destruction of over 40 Russian aircraft.

The Governor of Russia’s Irkutsk region confirmed that a military facility in Siberia was struck for the first time, signaling an



unprecedented escalation of the conflict. Emergency response teams have been deployed to manage the fallout, and authorities have reportedly blocked the drones’ launch site.

The Ukrainian offensive has been dubbed “Operation Web,” with media reports highlighting the precision and planning behind the strikes. According to Ukrainian sources, the operation was aimed at weakening Russia’s offensive capabilities ahead of potential ground assaults on Kyiv. The strikes came just a day after reports that Russia had deployed around 50,000 troops near the Ukrainian border, seemingly preparing for a large-scale military assault.

The Ukrainian government has claimed that these drone strikes are part of a broader strategy to target Russian military infrastructure deep within their own territory. This approach represents a significant shift in Ukraine's military doctrine, focusing on precision strikes against high-value targets well beyond the front lines.

Dramatic footage circulating on social media shows several Russian aircraft engulfed in flames at one of the targeted airbases. Eyewitnesses reported hearing explosions consistent with drone strikes. The video has been widely shared as proof of the effectiveness of Ukraine's aerial offensive.

Iran Observer, an online outlet, posted a video showing the aftermath of the drone strikes, with aircraft burning on the runway and smoke billowing into the sky. Such footage has fueled global speculation about the scale of the damage and Ukraine’s growing ability to strike key Russian military assets.