Ukrainian Drone strike hits Russian Airfield, damages fighter Jet in Kursk
In a bold cross-border move, Ukraine's drones breach Russian airspace and strike a key airfield, marking a new phase in the war’s reach and precision.
Ukraine launched a bold and unprecedented operation called "Operation Cobweb" by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). The drone strike was conducted against five Russian airbases, including ones deep inside Siberia, more than 4,000 kilometers inside Russia from the Ukrainian border. Citing sources within Ukraine, more than 40 Russian fighter jets, including strategic bombers like the Tu-95 and Tu-22M, were destroyed or severely damaged.
The operation had entailed 18 months of careful preparation, reportedly overseen at the personal behest of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The drones, armed with explosives, were hidden inside mobile shelter units with retractable roofs on top of lorry vehicles. Once inside Russia, the roofs were controlled remotely to open, and the drones took off before striking their intended targets.
Ukrainian Drones hit Russian Bomber bases, causing massive losses
Airbases attacked included Belaya in Irkutsk, Olenya in Murmansk, Dyagilevo in Ryazan, Ivanovo Severny, and one in the Amur region. They are home to nuclear-capable bombers and early warning planes like the A-50. Russian authorities had confirmed Murmansk and Irkutsk fires but called the attacks "terrorist acts" and claimed that they had engaged in successful combat against some of them.
Russian military experts compared the attack to a modern "Pearl Harbor" due to its extent and strategic value. About 34% of Russia's long-range bomber fleet equipped with cruise missiles was attacked. The combined worth of the destroyed or damaged aircraft is about $7 billion, one of the largest air force losses on record.
Operation Cobweb alters balance before peace talks
The attacks came ahead of the upcoming peace talks in Istanbul, where Ukraine is demanding an immediate ceasefire, the return of deported children, and prisoner exchanges. Meanwhile, Russia launched its biggest drone and missile attack since the war began, with 472 drones and seven missiles hitting Ukraine. The Ukrainian forces claim that they destroyed the majority of them.
"Operation Cobweb" is a turning point in the war that shows Ukraine's capabilities to strike Russian depths with the help of new drone tactics. Success in the operation has the potential to acutely change the balance of forces and decide the type of future negotiations. It also points to the dynamic nature of warfare in the area.
Ukraine launches Major attack on Russian Aviation after 18 months
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky celebrated a historic operation carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) targeting Russian strategic aviation. This complex attack, which took over a year and a half to plan, represents a significant milestone in Ukraine’s tactics against Russia.
Zelensky described the operation as “absolutely brilliant” and emphasized its independence as a Ukrainian achievement. He noted that it took one year, six months, and nine days from the start of planning to the successful execution, calling it Ukraine’s largest operation to date.
