Ukrainian Drones Launch Unprecedented Strike on Russian Airbases
In a significant military operation, Ukrainian forces have launched a series of drone strikes targeting multiple military airfields deep within Russian territory, marking a pivotal moment as peace talks are set to commence in Istanbul on Monday. The Russian Defence Ministry reported that these coordinated strikes aimed at airbases in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions have ignited several aircraft but resulted in no casualties.
The drone assaults, primarily concentrated in the Murmansk and Irkutsk areas, utilized first-person view (FPV) drones allegedly launched from locations near the airfields, according to official statements from the Russian military. The attacks caused significant disruptions, with several aircraft catching fire, although emergency responses were effective in extinguishing the flames.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) disclosed that this operation led to substantial losses for the Russian military, estimating the damage to their strategic aviation at approximately billion. This marks an unprecedented scale of engagement, as these strikes were executed against targets thousands of kilometers away from the front lines, including the Belaya airbase in Irkutsk, located around 4,300 kilometers from Ukraine’s border.
Eyewitness reports and local officials have indicated that the operation involved a complex planning phase, suggesting a high level of coordination among multiple individuals within Russia. Al Jazeera’s correspondent, Dorsa Jabbari, highlighted that these strikes represent the most extensive single-day assault on Russian military airbases since the onset of the conflict in February 2022. These airbases have been pivotal in Russia’s ongoing military operations in Ukraine.
As the hostilities escalate, the situation continues to unfold with the announcement of increased attacks from both sides. Just before these drone strikes, a tragic incident in Russia’s Bryansk region resulted in at least seven fatalities when a highway bridge collapsed as a passenger train was crossing. Authorities are treating this incident as an “act of terrorism,” although no group has claimed responsibility as of yet.
The backdrop to these military escalations is the impending peace talks scheduled to take place in Istanbul, facilitated by Turkish authorities amidst the backdrop of calls for a resolution to the protracted conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while expressing skepticism about the negotiations’ potential, has outlined the key objectives for the Ukrainian delegation, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive ceasefire and the repatriation of prisoners and abducted individuals.
As diplomatic efforts commence with hopes of fostering meaningful dialogue, the ongoing tensions illustrate the complex dynamics of the conflict, reflecting both military strategy and the urgent need for peace in the region.
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