In a significant escalation, Russia has confirmed the arrest of several suspects following drone strikes launched by Ukraine, which targeted military airfields across five regions, igniting multiple aircraft fires.
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The strikes occurred in the regions of Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur. According to the Russian defense ministry, air defenses successfully repelled the attacks in all but two areas—Murmansk and Irkutsk.
“In the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions, FPV drones were launched from an area nearby airfields, leading to fires involving several aircraft,” the ministry reported. Fortunately, the fires were extinguished without any reported casualties, though multiple individuals involved in the attacks have since been detained.
A representative from Ukraine’s SBU security service described the coordinated attacks within Russia as “aimed at destroying enemy bombers far from the front lines.” This strategic aim underscores a calculated effort to target Russian airbases located in various regions, including Belaya in eastern Siberia, Olenya in the Arctic near Finland, and both Ivanovo and Dyagilevo, which are east of Moscow.
According to the source, more than 40 aircraft sustained damage at the Belaya base, where a significant fire was recorded. The representative even shared video evidence showing aircraft engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky.
Ukrainian secret services reportedly executed their plan by concealing explosive-laden drones within the roofs of wooden sheds. “This innovative tactic allowed us to attack strategic bomber aircraft effectively,” stated a Ukrainian security official. The sheds were transported by truck to the perimeter of the air bases. Once in position, a remotely activated mechanism lifted the roof panels, allowing the drones to launch and target their objectives.
This operation, the official revealed—conducted on Sunday across four air bases—allegedly resulted in a total of 41 Russian warplanes being hit. However, it’s important to note that Reuters has not independently verified this claim.
Unverified videos circulating on Russian social media depicted strategic bombers ablaze at Belaya air base, further illustrating the severity of the situation. Igor Kobzev, the regional governor, confirmed a drone attack on a military unit in proximity to the Belaya base, mentioning the drones were deployed from a truck.
The attack on the Irkutsk region marks an unprecedented move by Ukraine, representing the first drone assault launched so far from the conflict lines, which are over 4,300 kilometers away. Achieving such a feat required a specialized approach to ensure that the drones could reach their targets.
Images shared with Reuters depict hundreds of short-range quadrocopter drones stacked in an industrial facility, reportedly the same drones used in the attacks. Furthermore, additional visuals showed revealing the drones hidden within the wooden sheds.
Operation “Spider’s Web” was reportedly overseen personally by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in conjunction with Vasyl Maliuk, head of Ukraine’s SBU domestic intelligence. If confirmed, this operation would represent one of the most impactful Ukrainian drone assaults of the conflict, posing a considerable challenge for Moscow.
The ongoing situation has become increasingly tense, highlighted by recent Russian ground advances in Ukraine’s border region of Sumy and a spate of reciprocal air assaults. In a related development, President Zelensky announced the dispatch of a Ukrainian delegation led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov to Istanbul for discussions with Russian officials.
Turkey is facilitating the meeting, which follows a push for a swift conclusion to the three-year-long conflict, championed by US President Donald Trump. Despite previously expressing doubt regarding the Russian side’s commitment, Zelensky emphasized that the Ukrainian delegation would prioritize “a complete and unconditional ceasefire” along with the return of prisoners and abducted children.
Russia has stated that it has its own peace terms, though it has refrained from sharing these details publicly. Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed a Turkish proposal for a leaders-level meeting.
In a separate incident, Russian officials reported that explosions were the cause behind the overnight collapse of two bridges in regions adjacent to Ukraine, resulting in the loss of seven lives. While authorities have not identified any suspects, the incident is being investigated as “acts of terrorism.”
As the situation evolves, both parties appear to be gearing up for an intensification in hostilities, making the coming days critical in the broader context of this ongoing conflict.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring
