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A Ukrainian drone strike destroyed more than 40 Russian military aircraft deep within Russian territory, a Ukrainian security official told The Associated Press on Sunday, marking one of Kyiv’s most audacious attacks since the war began.
The official, speaking anonymously, said the long-planned operation was personally overseen by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and involved transporting drones hidden in containers across Russia. Targets included the Belaya air base in the Irkutsk region, over 2,500 miles from Ukraine; a first for Ukrainian drones, according to local Gov. Igor Kobzeva, who noted no civilian threat was posed.
The disclosure came as Zelenskyy announced Ukraine would send a delegation to Istanbul for new peace talks with Russia on Monday. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov will lead the team. Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to defending its sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Russia launched its largest drone barrage against Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, with 472 drones and seven missiles fired Sunday, according to Ukraine’s air force. A Russian missile strike on a training unit killed 12 Ukrainian troops and injured more than 60. The incident occurred away from the front line, prompting an investigation into potential command failures.
In the north, Russian forces claimed control of the village of Oleksiivka in Ukraine’s Sumy region. Ukrainian authorities ordered evacuations from 11 settlements as Moscow presses its offensive in both Sumy and Donetsk.
Ukraine’s military continues to face severe manpower shortages while managing intensified Russian attacks along the 620-mile front.
With information from the Associated Press.
Footage of a Ukrainian FPV strike drone rising from a cargo truck and heading towards Russia's Belaya Airbase.
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 1, 2025
The drone launch and airbase hit were over 4000 km (2500 mi) from Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/XU7bCzV5QJ
