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

In a daring and highly coordinated military operation, Ukraine has reportedly destroyed over 40 Russian warplanes deep inside Russian territory, marking a major escalation in the ongoing conflict. The attack comes just as both sides are preparing for a fresh round of peace talks in Istanbul.

According to a Ukrainian security official speaking to the Associated Press, this unprecedented strike was personally overseen by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and took over a year and a half to plan and execute.

The operation used drones that were smuggled in containers by trucks into Russian territory. These drones then took off and struck multiple airfields, including the Belaya air base located in Russia’s Irkutsk region, more than 2,500 miles (4,000 km) from Ukraine. The region had never before seen a Ukrainian drone, according to Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev.

“This is the first time that a Ukrainian drone has been seen in the region,” said Kobzev in a public statement.

The airstrike targeted 41 bombers spread across five Russian airfields, according to Russia’s own Defense Ministry. Fires broke out on the bases, damaging multiple aircraft.

Russian officials confirmed that Ukrainian FPV (First Person View) drones hit military infrastructure in Murmansk in the north and attempted strikes on Amur in the Far East, as well as in Ivanovo and Ryazan—both closer to Moscow.

On the same day as the drone attack, President Zelenskyy announced via Telegram that Ukraine will send a delegation to Istanbul for direct peace talks with Russia.

“We are doing everything to protect our independence, our state, and our people,” said Zelenskyy.

The Ukrainian delegation will be led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. Ukraine had previously demanded that Russia share a written memorandum outlining its position before the talks, which Moscow now says it will present during the negotiations.

In response, Russia launched what Ukraine’s air force called the largest drone assault since the start of the war in February 2022—firing a staggering 472 drones across Ukrainian skies. Alongside this barrage, seven missiles were also launched, according to Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ignat.

One of these missile strikes proved deadly.

Ukraine’s military confirmed that at least 12 service members were killed and more than 60 injured after a Russian missile hit an army training unit. The strike occurred at 12:50 p.m. local time. Importantly, officials stressed that no mass gathering or formation was taking place at the time, highlighting the calculated nature of the Russian attack.

In the wake of this devastating strike, Ukrainian commander Mykhailo Drapatyi submitted his resignation. Drapatyi had been highly respected for his role in regaining territory on the eastern front during Kyiv’s counteroffensive in 2022.

His departure underscores the seriousness of the attack and the rising pressure on Ukraine’s military leaders as the war enters a more dangerous phase.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense also claimed Sunday that its forces had seized control of the village of Oleksiivka, located in Ukraine’s northern Sumy region. As Russian troops advance, Ukrainian authorities ordered mandatory evacuations in 11 additional settlements in the area.

Ukraine’s top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, warned that Russia is now concentrating its efforts on multiple fronts—especially in Pokrovsk, Toretsk, and Lyman (all in the Donetsk region) as well as continuing pressure along the Sumy border.

This weekend’s developments show that both sides are preparing for a long and brutal continuation of the war, even while peace talks are scheduled. Ukraine’s ability to strike deep into Russia shows a level of military sophistication and strategic planning that could reshape future battlefield dynamics.

However, the cost remains high on both sides. As more soldiers are injured and civilians evacuated, the world watches and waits to see if diplomacy in Istanbul can deliver anything more than symbolic gestures.

Stay tuned as we monitor the situation closely and bring you updates on both the battlefield and the negotiating table.