Ukrainian Drone Strike Destroys Over 40 Russian Warplanes Ahead of Peace Talks in Istanbul

 

Ukrainian Drone Strike Destroys Over 40 Russian Warplanes Ahead of Peace Talks in Istanbul

Ukraine's Kyiv— According to a Ukrainian security officer who spoke to The Associated Press on Sunday, Ukraine has destroyed over 40 Russian military aircraft in a targeted drone operation deep within Russian territory, marking a remarkable increase in its long-range strike capabilities.

According to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally oversaw the high-impact operation, which took more than 18 months to arrange. The attack occurs only one day before direct peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are set to take place in Istanbul.

Drones Penetrate Deep Into Russia, Hitting Key Air Base

According to the Ukrainian source, vehicles covertly brought drones into Russia in containers, where they were then fired to hit many airfields. The Belaya air station in the Baikal region of Russia, which is nearly 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) from Ukrainian territory, was one of the targets.

A drone incident was reported in the Irkutsk region by local Russian Governor Igor Kobzev, who additionally stated that it was the first time such an attack had taken place there. He went on to say that civilians were not at risk from the drone.

Zelenskyy Sends Delegation to Renew Peace Talks with Russia

President Zelenskyy stated Ukraine would send a delegation to Istanbul on Monday for another round of direct peace talks with Russia as soon as the drone strike became public. The Ukrainian delegation will be led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Zelenskyy stated in a message posted on Telegram.

"We are making every effort to safeguard our state, our people, and our independence," Zelenskyy declared. In the past, Ukrainian authorities had asked Russia to formally send a memorandum detailing its conditions for halting the conflict. According to the Kremlin, the document will be presented at the next round of negotiations.

Russia Launches Largest Drone Attack Since War Began

In the meantime, Ukrainian authorities claim that Russia's unprecedented drone attack on Ukraine on Sunday, which involved the deployment of 472 drones, is the biggest since the full-scale invasion started in February 2022.

Ukrainian air force spokesperson Yuriy Ignat said Russia fired seven missiles in addition to the drones. At least 12 forces were killed and another 60 suffered injuries in one particularly fatal attack on a Ukrainian military training site.

Around 12:50 p.m. local time, the attack took place. Targeting a rear-area training unit located detached from the real battle lines, Ukrainian officials stressed that no large numbers or formations were in situ at the time of the strike.

Ukraine Investigates Possible Negligence in Deadly Strike

To find out whether command mistakes or inaction played a role in the high death toll, the Ukrainian Ground Forces have opened an investigation. They stressed in a statement that any authorities proven to be at fault would face serious repercussions.

As Russian drones continue to dominate the air along the 620-mile (1,000-kilometer) front, Ukrainian soldiers have been particularly cautious about avoiding big gatherings due to continued manpower shortages.

Russia Makes Gains in Northern Ukraine as Pressure Mounts

In other news, Russia's Ministry of Defense declared that its forces had taken control of the settlement of Oleksiivka in the northern Sumy area of Ukraine. Eleven additional villages were forced to evacuate on Saturday by Ukrainian authorities in response.

Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine's top military leader, stated over the weekend that Russia has stepped up its offensive in a number of important places, such as Pokrovsk, Toretsk, Lyman, and along the Sumy borders, where pressure is constantly building.