In a significant military development, a Ukrainian drone strike has reportedly destroyed over 40 Russian aircraft within Russian territory, according to a Ukrainian security official who spoke on condition of anonymity. This operation, which took more than a year and a half to plan, was personally overseen by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The drones were transported deep into Russia in trucks and successfully targeted airbases, including the Belaya air base located in the Irkutsk region, approximately 4,000 kilometres from Ukraine.
Simultaneously, Russia launched one of its largest aerial offensives since the onset of the war, deploying 472 drones and seven missiles against Ukraine. The Ukrainian air force confirmed this escalation on Sunday. Tragically, the air assault resulted in the deaths of at least 12 Ukrainian servicemen and injuries to over 60 others, following a missile strike on an army training unit. This attack occurred in the early afternoon, coinciding with a time when no significant troop formations were present at the facility. An investigative commission has been established to examine the circumstances of this severe loss of personnel.
The attack by Russian forces has occurred against the backdrop of renewed peace talks scheduled to take place in Istanbul. Zelenskyy has confirmed that a Ukrainian delegation, led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, will attend these discussions the following day. The Ukrainian leader asserted the nation’s commitment to defending its sovereignty, stating, “We are doing everything to protect our independence, our state and our people.” Ukrainian officials have called on the Kremlin to provide a memorandum outlining its stance on ending the conflict prior to the meeting, which Russia has agreed to deliver during the talks.
In response to the ongoing conflict, the situation in the Sumy region is escalating, with Ukrainian authorities mandating evacuations in eleven settlements due to Russian advances. Additionally, the Russian Ministry of Defence has claimed control over the village of Oleksiivka. Ukraine’s military leadership has indicated that Russian forces are intensifying their assaults in the Donetsk region and near the Sumy border, particularly focusing on key areas such as Pokrovsk, Toretsk, and Lyman.
As the conflict continues, both sides remain engaged in military actions while navigating complex diplomatic negotiations, highlighting the ongoing volatility and humanitarian implications of the war in Ukraine.