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Inside Ukraine’s Bold Drone Strike on Russian Air Bases

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Kyiv’s recent audacious drone attack against Russian airbases marked a meticulously planned and executed operation that has significant implications for the ongoing conflict. The Ukrainian Security Service reported that 41 Russian aircraft were hit, including key bombers and surveillance planes, disrupting Moscow’s aerial assaults on Ukrainian civilians.

The strikes focused on four airfields deep within Russian territory, such as the Belaya base in the Irkutsk region, located about 4500 kilometres from Ukraine’s border. The operation demonstrated Ukraine’s ability to inflict damage on Russian military capabilities from within Russia, which had grown complacent about the security of these distant airbases. The attack capitalised on the underestimation of threats from far-off areas, as Russian forces believed their air superiority and distance would safeguard them from Ukrainian drone strikes.

Experts, including Justin Bronk from the Royal United Services Institute, deemed the operation a “stunning success” for Ukraine. If confirmed, the claimed damage to Russian aircraft could severely hinder Russia’s ongoing large-scale missile assaults on Ukrainian cities while potentially affecting their nuclear deterrent capacities.

The drones were reportedly smuggled into Russia, then hidden and launched from concealed locations near military targets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted that 117 drones were used in the operation, which had been in planning for nearly 18 months. The drones were likely controlled remotely from safe distances, using less detectable communication methods to evade Russian detection.

Despite Russia’s advanced air defence systems, these bases were not equipped to handle such a surprise low-altitude attack. The absence of heavy machine guns or other countermeasures left the bases vulnerable, highlighting a significant oversight in Russian military preparedness.

Pictures from the aftermath revealed damaged aircraft at the targeted airbases, and the SBU reported that the strikes caused an estimated $US7 billion in damages, affecting a notable portion of Russia’s strategic missile carriers. While Russian authorities attempted to downplay the attack’s significance, military bloggers voiced criticisms of the loss, citing negligence in safeguarding crucial assets.

This operation underscores the evolving dynamics of the conflict and the potential vulnerabilities in Russia’s military infrastructure. The potential long-term impact on Russia’s air capabilities could alter the course of military action in the region and influence broader geopolitical tensions.

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