Russia- Ukraine War: Ukraine strikes 5 air bases in Russia; over 40 aircrafts damaged

New Delhi (India) June 2: President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the SBU security service destroyed "34% of Russia's strategic cruise missile carriers" using 117 drones in the "Spider's Web" operation.

Ukraine said the strike damaged Russian planes valued at $2 billion at the airbases. Ukraine claimed that at least 40 aircraft, including nuclear-capable TU-95 and Tu-22 strategic bombers had been damaged.

The attacks happened after Russia launched the strongest drone attack since the invasion began. Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ignat said Ukrainian forces apparently destroyed 385 aerial targets Sunday after 472 drones and seven missiles were fired at Ukraine.

According to Russia's defence ministry, Ukraine attacked airbases in five different regions Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur, using drones. The ministry called the strikes a "terrorist attack" and said they were all "repelled" in a statement.

The Russian defense ministry said, "Today, the Kyiv regime staged a terror attack with the use of FPV drones on airfields in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur Regions. All terror attacks on military airfields in the Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur Regions were repelled. No casualties were reported either among servicemen or civilians. Some of those involved in the terror attacks were detained." in a statement.

The Ministry also added, "As a result of the launch of FPV drones from territories in the close proximity to military airfields in the Murmansk and Irkutsk Regions, several aircraft caught fire. The fires were extinguished.”

The strikes come just before a second round of peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine is set to start in Istanbul on Monday. The Kremlin adviser Vladimir Medynsky is leading the Russian team and has already arrived in Turkey for the talks.

Aadrika Tayal