Unprecedented operation: Ukraine strikes deep into Russian military airports with commercial FPV drones equipped with explosives. Estimated damages exceed 2 billion dollars. All on the eve of peace talks in Istanbul.
One of the most significant Ukrainian military operations since the beginning of the conflict struck at the heart of Russia, thousands of kilometers from the front. A wave of drones targeted several Russian military airports causing, according to Kyiv, the destruction of 41 bombers and damages of over two billion dollars. A severe blow for Moscow, coming just hours before the start of new peace negotiations at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul.
“Deep” Attack: Details of the Operation
The operation, prepared for over a year and a half by Ukrainian intelligence services (SBU), was described by President Zelensky as «an absolutely brilliant result». Direct supervision by the head of intelligence Vasyl Malyuk, with the use of FPV drones modified for carrying explosives, hidden inside prefabricated modules and then transported near the targets by trucks.
The attack hit military installations in at least five Russian regions, including:
- Irkutsk, in central Siberia (over 8,000 km from Moscow)
- Murmansk, in the northwest near the Finnish border
- Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur, in the Far East
Moscow confirmed the damage to «some aircraft» but tried to downplay it, speaking of «repelled terrorist attacks». The Ukrainians, on the other hand, declared that «all personnel involved has been withdrawn from Russian territory» and mocked Russian announcements of alleged arrests: «Do not believe those who say they have captured the responsible parties».
Internal Sabotage and Civilian Casualties
At the same time, two serious sabotage incidents hit Russian infrastructure:
- A road bridge exploded in the Bryansk region, causing the derailment of a passenger train, with at least 7 dead and over 70 injured.
- A second freight train derailed in the Kursk region, following the explosion of a railway bridge.
The Russian Response: 472 Drones on Ukrainian Targets
Moscow's reaction was swift. Kyiv reported the largest Russian drone attack since the start of the war, with 472 drones and 7 missiles launched in just one night between Saturday and Sunday. A raid hit a training center in Ukraine, causing at least 12 deaths and over 60 injuries. Internal controversies led to the resignation of General Mikhailo Drapaty, commander of the Ukrainian ground forces.
Towards Istanbul: The War on the Ground and the Diplomatic One
As military clashes intensify, delegations from Kyiv and Moscow are traveling to Istanbul, where new peace talks will open. Leading the two sides:
- For Ukraine, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov
- For Russia, Vladimir Medinsky, former minister without significant political weight in the Kremlin's inner circle
Zelensky has set the objectives for his delegation: immediate and unconditional ceasefire, release of prisoners, and return of deported children. He also proposed the idea of a high-level summit, which could directly involve Putin and, according to Ankara, also Donald Trump.
International Reactions
European authorities avoided direct comments on the military operations but reiterated Ukraine's right to defend itself. «Kyiv acts in accordance with the United Nations Charter», stated Anouar El Anouni, spokesperson for the European Commission.
Berlin also took a stance, clarifying that it is not required to be informed in advance by Kyiv: «Ukraine has the right to defend itself», explained German government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius.
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