Russia on Sunday confirmed a series of kamikaze drone strikes on its military airfields, blaming Ukraine for launching what it called ‘terrorist attacks’.
The Defence Ministry claimed most of the assaults were repelled, although some airbases suffered material damage.
The attacks targeted airfields in:
- Murmansk,
- Ivanovo,
- Ryazan,
- Irkutsk, and
- Amur regions
The ministry stated that all the drones used were first-person view (FPV) kamikaze drones. Some were launched from locations very close to the airfields.
Fires broke out at several facilities after drones struck aviation equipment. These fires have since been extinguished.
In Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur, the attacks caused no reported damage or casualties. However, in Murmansk and Irkutsk, aircraft were set ablaze.
Russian officials confirmed no loss of life but acknowledged arrests linked to the incidents. They provided no further details about the suspects.
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) claimed responsibility for the strikes. In a statement, it said the special operation aimed to destroy Russian strategic bombers.
The SBU declared, “Enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia.”
Sources quoted by the BBC revealed that the operation, codenamed Spider’s Web, took over a year to plan and had the personal oversight of President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The targeted airfields reportedly housed key Russian aircraft such as the TU-95 strategic bomber, TU-22M3 supersonic bombers, and A-50 airborne early warning planes.
Attacks Come Hours Before Peace Talks In Istanbul
The drone raids took place just ahead of the next round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, scheduled for Monday in Istanbul. Delegations from both countries are en route.
However, it remains unclear how these strikes and a separate rail sabotage, resulting in seven deaths, might affect the negotiations.
Russian authorities have labelled both train derailments as acts of sabotage.
Also Read: Ukraine Targets Russian Strategic Airbases In Widespread Drone Attacks Ahead Of Peace Talks
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