Dozens of War Planes Destroyed Deep Inside Russian Territory by Ukrainian Drones: Report

Published: Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 4:16 pm

Ukrainian Drones Reportedly Destroy Over 40 Russian Warplanes in Deep Strike

A Ukrainian drone attack deep inside Russian territory reportedly destroyed over 40 Russian warplanes, according to a Ukrainian security official speaking to the Associated Press. The official, who requested anonymity, stated the operation took over a year and a half to plan and was personally overseen by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The drones, transported in containers via trucks, targeted several airfields, including the Belaya air base in the Irkutsk region, over 4,000 kilometers from Ukraine. This marks the first time a Ukrainian drone has been reported in this region.

Russia's Defense Ministry confirmed the attacks, which spanned five airfields, acknowledging damage to aircraft and fires. The attacks occurred on the same day Zelenskyy announced a Ukrainian delegation would meet with Russia in Istanbul for peace talks. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov will lead the Ukrainian delegation.

Simultaneously, Russia launched a massive drone and missile barrage against Ukraine, the largest since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Ukraine's air force reported 472 drones, alongside seven missiles. Earlier, a Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian army training unit resulted in at least 12 deaths and over 60 injuries, prompting the resignation of a respected Ukrainian commander.

Meanwhile, Russia claimed control of the village of Oleksiivka in the Sumy region, where Ukrainian authorities ordered mandatory evacuations in several settlements. Ukrainian forces are facing a challenging situation, with Russian forces focusing their offensive efforts on the Donetsk region and the Sumy border area.

BNN's Perspective: This escalation of attacks, both in terms of depth and intensity, highlights the ongoing volatility of the conflict. While the reported drone strike is a significant development, the simultaneous Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory underscore the devastating impact on civilians and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution. The upcoming peace talks in Istanbul are crucial, but the path to a lasting agreement remains uncertain.

Keywords: Ukrainian drone attack, Russian warplanes destroyed, Ukraine-Russia war, Istanbul peace talks, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Belaya air base, Irkutsk region, drone strikes, missile attacks, Sumy region, Oleksiivka, military conflict, war in Ukraine, Russia-Ukraine conflict, military news, international relations.

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