Ukraine Claims Destruction of 40 Russian Planes Ahead of Peace Talks

Ukraine claims to have destroyed over 40 Russian planes in a drone attack on Russian territory, a complex operation overseen by President Zelensky. The strike occurred just hours before scheduled peace talks in Istanbul. Meanwhile, Russia increased its missile strikes on Ukraine, causing casualties and injuries.

In a bold military operation, Ukraine has claimed to have successfully destroyed over 40 Russian aircraft within Russian territory, as reported on Sunday by the Ukrainian Security Service. This comes as Moscow has ramped up missile strikes on Ukraine just hours ahead of expected peace talks in Istanbul.

According to an anonymous military official, the operation took over 18 months to plan and execute, with direct oversight from President Volodymyr Zelensky. In his evening address, Zelensky mentioned that 117 drones were deployed in this operation, which allegedly operated out of a building located next to the local FSB headquarters, the Russian security service.

The source described the operation as “extremely complex,” detailing how first-person view (FPV) drones were smuggled into Russia, disguised inside mobile wooden structures. Once in position, these drones were hidden beneath the roofs of the structures until the precise moment they were launched at Russian bombers. Social media clips showed drones being released from these containers as onlookers attempted to intervene.

The drones specifically targeted aircraft stationed at military airfields, hitting 41 planes including the A-50, Tu-95, and Tu-22M. These aircraft have been pivotal in Russia’s missile strikes against Ukraine, with the A-50 also playing a role in coordinating airstrikes and tracking missile defense systems.

The Security Service of Ukraine labeled this operation “Web,” reporting a staggering 34 percent of Russia’s air missile carrier fleet has been destroyed, with damages estimated around $7 billion. However, independent confirmation of these figures is still pending.

Russia’s Defense Ministry acknowledged the drone strikes, noting they sparked fires and caused damage to aircraft in regions such as Irkutsk and Murmansk—distances that exceed 4,000 kilometers from Ukraine. Reports indicated additional strikes were thwarted in the Amur region and western areas like Ivanovo and Ryazan.

At the same time, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth received briefings on the Ukrainian attack during a visit to Nellis Air Force Base, highlighting the advanced nature of the operation, which the United States had not been informed of beforehand. A senior defense official remarked on the growing sophistication of Ukraine’s military capabilities.

In a separate but related incident, explosions in western Russia led to the collapse of two bridges and the derailment of two trains, resulting in seven deaths and numerous injuries. The Russian Investigative Committee’s initial mention of “explosions” was later omitted from their press release.

The timing of Ukraine’s drone strike appears strategically planned as it coincides with Zelensky announcing a delegation’s travel to Istanbul for new peace talks with Russia. Zelensky emphasized the importance of the meeting, stating, “We are doing everything to protect our independence, our state and our people.”

Furthermore, Ukrainian officials are waiting on a promised memorandum from the Kremlin that outlines Russia’s stance on ending the ongoing conflict, which Moscow has indicated will be presented during the discussions.

On the Russian side of the battle, Sunday marked a significant escalation, as the country launched its largest drone assault — 472 drones — against Ukraine since the war began in February 2022. This was complemented by a missile launch, resulting in fatalities among Ukrainian soldiers as a missile targeted an army training unit, claiming the lives of at least 12 personnel and injuring more than 60. Following this tragic hit, Ukrainian commander Mykhailo Drapatyi resigned.

The situation in Ukraine is evolving rapidly, particularly with Ukraine’s bold drone operations striking deep into Russian territory, leading to significant claims of damage to Russia’s military assets. Concurrently, the intensification of Russian missile strikes puts additional pressure on Ukrainian forces. As the two nations prepare for peace talks, the military actions on both sides could have ramifications on the negotiations and future conflict dynamics.

Original Source: www.arabnews.pk