Ukraine strikes deep inside Russia, destroys 41 bombers in daring drone attack

DDM News

Ukraine has reportedly carried out one of its most daring and strategically significant strikes since the war began, as drone operations deep inside Russian territory allegedly destroyed 41 Russian bombers.

The report, first published by The Times of Israel, suggests the strike was directly overseen by President Volodymyr Zelensky himself.

According to security sources quoted by international media, the high-impact drone operation targeted multiple airfields, including the Belaya air base in Russia’s Irkutsk region, more than 4,000 kilometers from Ukrainian territory.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) confirms that if independently verified, this would be the farthest Ukrainian drone strike to date and the single most devastating attack on Russian aviation assets since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

A senior Ukrainian security official, speaking anonymously to The Associated Press, disclosed that the mission took over 18 months of covert planning.

The drones, smuggled into Russia inside shipping containers and trucks, were then launched from within Russian territory to strike the strategic bombers parked at remote military bases.

Russian officials have not yet confirmed the full extent of the damage but have acknowledged drone activity in several regions, including Irkutsk, Murmansk, and Ryazan.

Governor Igor Kobzev of Irkutsk confirmed that a Ukrainian drone had reached the area, stating, “This is the first time a Ukrainian drone has been found this far east.”

Observers believe the drone offensive was not a one-off strike but rather part of a broader, coordinated drone assault that revealed serious vulnerabilities in Russia’s homeland air defense systems.

The Belaya air base, one of the reported targets, is critical to Russia’s long-range bombing campaign.

The base has been used to launch cruise missile strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure and civilian areas.

Its compromise could deal a significant blow to Russia’s aerial capabilities and further expose the Kremlin’s difficulties in safeguarding key military assets deep inside its territory.

The timing of the strike appears to be strategic.

It comes just hours before Ukrainian and Russian delegations are scheduled to meet in Istanbul for a new round of peace negotiations.

Military analysts believe the operation may be part of Ukraine’s attempt to strengthen its bargaining position at the negotiating table.

Kyiv’s message to Moscow is becoming increasingly clear: Ukraine is capable not only of resisting invasion but also of projecting force deep within Russia.

In recent months, Ukraine has intensified its reliance on advanced drone warfare to offset its conventional military disadvantages.

Backed by Western financial and technological support, Kyiv has expanded its domestic drone manufacturing programs to enable longer-range strikes.

This development represents a new chapter in the conflict, where asymmetric tactics and innovation challenge the traditional military superiority of a nuclear-armed power.

As the war drags on, Russia has relied heavily on missile attacks and Iranian-made Shahed drones to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and cities.

In contrast, Ukraine’s latest operation showcases its ability to conduct precision strikes on critical Russian military infrastructure far from the front lines.

International defense experts suggest that Sunday’s drone campaign may force the Kremlin to overhaul its internal defense strategies and reallocate resources toward protecting assets far from the battlefield.

This would not only strain Russia’s military logistics but could also influence NATO’s assessment of the war’s trajectory and the nature of support given to Kyiv.

Despite the dramatic claims, Russia’s Defense Ministry has not officially confirmed the destruction of 41 bombers.

Without independent satellite verification or statements from credible military observers, the actual damage remains uncertain.

However, if the claims are substantiated, the operation would represent one of the most severe single-day losses of aircraft in Russia’s modern military history.

President Zelensky’s reported hands-on involvement in the planning and execution of the mission signals a shift in Ukraine’s posture from defensive endurance to calculated, long-range retaliation.

Analysts believe that such operations, especially if repeated, could redefine the battlefield’s geography and make all of Russia a potential front line.

The significance of the timing, right before high-stakes negotiations, also suggests a deliberate political and psychological component to the attack.

Kyiv is keen to demonstrate that it will not enter peace talks from a position of weakness, even if under continued bombardment.

As satellite imagery from international monitoring agencies is awaited, there is a growing call among Western policymakers for caution and verification.

Yet the psychological and symbolic impact of Ukraine’s claimed success is already resonating across diplomatic and military circles.

Ukrainian officials maintain that the operation is legal under the rules of war, targeting military assets used to launch attacks on civilian populations.

While the international community awaits clearer evidence, one thing is certain: Ukraine has pushed the boundaries of the conflict further into Russian territory than ever before.

With each new development, the lines of this war are being redrawn, not only on maps but in global perceptions of power, resistance, and resilience.

The coming days will likely bring additional clarity, but for now, the strategic message has been sent loud and clear.

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