Ukrainian Drones Wipe Out Dozens of Russian Aircraft in Audacious Attack Described as ‘Russia’s Pearl Harbor’
Ahead of ceasefire talks that are supposed to begin in Istanbul Monday, Ukrainian drone strikes disable at least 40 long-range Russian bombers.
Ukraine has gained an upper hand ahead of talks with Russia in Istanbul Monday after a strategic strike on Russian military bases that is being called one of the most startling and advanced attacks since World War II.
Ukraine — in a plan dubbed “Operation Spider Web” — struck at Olenya, in Murmansk region, more than 1,100 miles from Ukraine. Drones also hit nearly 2,700 miles away at Belaya in the Irkutsk region in remote Siberia in what is the first Ukrainian attack in the eastern territory. Belaya is home to one of Russia’s largest long-range aviation bases.
In total, 117 drones hit 34 percent of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers in three different time zones, according to Ukrainian officials. The attack, which is being downplayed by the Kremlin, reportedly wiped out at least 40 Russian bombers and an early warning aircraft.
“I can say with certainty that this is an absolutely unique operation,” Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskky, said in a video statement. “What’s most interesting — and this can now be stated publicly — is that the ‘office’ of our operation on Russian territory was located directly next to FSB headquarters in one of their regions. … And the people who assisted us were withdrawn from Russian territory before the operation, they are now safe.”
The attack took over a year and a half to plan and execute and was personally supervised by Mr. Zelenskyy.
The strikes deep into Russian territory were made possible by semi trucks driving the drones into Russia before releasing them to evade cross-border radar. Likening the methodology to a Trojan horse, Russian commentators reportedly called the attack “Russia’s Pearl Harbor.”
“What has transpired is not simply a drone strike on Russia. This was the most devastating blow to Russia’s strategic aviation since June 22 1941, the day the Soviet Union’s ally, Nazi Germany, betrayed the USSR and launched Operation Barbarosa,” Russian analyst Jason Jay Smart said.
“In just one morning 84 years ago, 10-15 percent of the Soviet air force was destroyed. Now today, almost to the day 84 years later, Russia just lost the same percentage of its strategic strike fleet.”
Finnish military analyst Emil Kastehelmi said the attack is “one of the most successful drone strikes against Russian air bases in the entire war.”
“These are major and expensive losses for Russia that can’t be replaced quickly. … Also Dyagilevo and Ivanovo air bases are burning. This is a very, very successful day for Ukraine,” he posted on X.
In return, Russian forces launched its largest counter-strikes on Ukraine, dropping 472 drones and seven missiles on Ukrainian territories, according to Ukraine’s air force spokesman Yuriy Ignat. At least 12 Ukrainian service members were killed and more than 60 were injured in a Russian missile strike on an army training unit.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense posted an operational update Sunday on Telegram that suggested it had taken control of Ukraine’s northern Sumy region. Ukrainian authorities ordered mandatory evacuations from 11 villages in the area.
With the two sides headed to Istanbul on Monday for elusive ceasefire talks to be led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Mr. Zelenskyy said he’s not confident Russia will offer any serious proposal.
“Everyone in the world wants diplomacy to work and for an actual ceasefire to take place,” Mr. Zelenskyy said. “Everyone wants Russia to stop playing games with diplomacy and end the war. Everyone wants a serious peace — and Russia must agree to that.”
Ukrainian officials had previously called on Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, to issue an outline ahead of the talks on Russia’s position to end the three-year war. Mr. Putin has not done so. However, as the parties head to Istanbul, the leverage has changed.
“Russia must understand that it is not in a position of strength. It is in a position of weakness and it must be put in its place,” Mr. Smart said.
