Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack on Sunday targeting Russian military facilities, reportedly downing more than 40 Russian aircraft, including strategic bombers, officials said.
According to Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), Ukrainian drones struck Russian aircraft, including Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers, which Russia uses to launch long-range missile attacks on Ukraine. The assault hit a military unit in the Sredny settlement of Russia’s Irkutsk region, confirmed regional governor Igor Kobzev.
Separately, explosions and thick smoke were reported near Olenya Air Base in Russia’s Murmansk region. Belarusian media outlet NEXTA shared videos and images of the aftermath on X (formerly Twitter), indicating a possible drone strike. Olenya is a key Russian strategic aviation hub, known for hosting nuclear-capable aircraft.
There is no official confirmation yet, but if verified, this attack would mark one of the most significant strikes on Russian military infrastructure since the war began.
No casualties or injuries have been reported so far.
This comes just a week after Russia launched its largest aerial assault to date on Ukrainian cities, firing 367 drones and missiles and killing 13 people, including three children. Major cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Mykolaiv were hit hard, despite Ukraine’s air defenses shooting down most incoming drones and missiles.
In response, Russia claimed it intercepted nearly 100 Ukrainian drones, including two near Moscow, over a four-hour period.
Amid escalating conflict, the US has urged Russia at the UN Security Council to accept a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire proposal, which Ukraine has already agreed to. The plan calls for a halt to all hostilities by land, air, and sea, as well as protection of critical infrastructure.
Meanwhile, peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in May ended without resolution. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Moscow has prepared ceasefire terms but has not yet shared them with Ukraine. A follow-up round of talks is scheduled for Monday in Istanbul.
The conflict, which began in February 2022, shows no signs of abating as both sides continue military and diplomatic maneuvers.
