Ukraine announced on Sunday that it carried out a major long-range drone offensive targeting multiple Russian airbases, damaging military aircraft worth an estimated $2 billion.
The move came as Kyiv prepares for ceasefire talks with Russian officials in Istanbul on Monday.
According to Ukraine’s SBU security service, the coordinated drone strikes hit airbases in Belaya (Siberia), Olenya (Arctic region near Finland), Ivanovo, and Dyagilevo, deep inside Russian territory. More than 40 aircraft were reportedly hit at Belaya, with videos showing several planes engulfed in flames and plumes of black smoke rising into the sky.
While AFP was unable to independently verify the footage, Russia’s defence ministry confirmed some of its military aircraft had “caught fire” and said that several individuals had been arrested. Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev described it as the “first attack of this sort in Siberia” and urged residents not to panic.
Meanwhile, Murmansk region Governor Andrey Chibis confirmed that Olenya base came under drone attack, with anti-aircraft defences activated.
The strikes mark a significant escalation as Ukraine seeks to project strength ahead of the ceasefire discussions. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that his Defence Minister, Rustem Umerov, will lead the Ukrainian delegation to Istanbul. Zelensky emphasized the country’s core demands: a “complete and unconditional ceasefire”, the return of prisoners, and the repatriation of abducted children.
Although Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected a Turkish proposal for a leader-level meeting, the Russian delegation departed for Istanbul on Sunday, with their ceasefire terms still undisclosed.
These diplomatic developments are unfolding amid heavy battlefield losses on both sides. Ukraine admitted to the death of 12 soldiers and over 60 injuries in a Russian missile strike on a training site, prompting the resignation of ground forces commander Mykhailo Drapaty, who accepted responsibility for the fatalities.
On the front lines, Russia claims new ground in northern Ukraine’s Sumy region, reportedly seizing another village and reinforcing fears of a renewed offensive. Ukraine says over 50,000 Russian troops are now stationed along that border, leading to the evacuation of 200+ villages.
Back in Russia, two bridge explosions in the Bryansk and Kursk regions — both bordering Ukraine — disrupted train lines. In Bryansk, a passenger train derailment killed seven people, while a freight train was derailed in Kursk, injuring its driver. Officials suspect sabotage and have launched a criminal investigation, though no culprit was publicly named.
The overall situation highlights a dangerous mix of military escalation and diplomatic maneuvering, with both sides pursuing talks from a position of force.
What you should know
Ukraine’s bold drone attacks on remote Russian airbases—targeting over 40 aircraft—are part of a calculated push to gain leverage ahead of crucial ceasefire talks in Istanbul.
Meanwhile, domestic pressure mounts on both sides amid deadly strikes, new ground offensives, and sabotage behind enemy lines.
