Everyone was expecting a ceasefire, but... Drone attack from Ukraine to Russia: Russia on high alert

Ukraine has announced that it has carried out one of its most effective air attacks against Russia. The Kyiv administration stated that it launched a large-scale drone attack on four separate Russian military airbases located in various parts of the country.

In a statement made by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), it was noted that this operation was a “special military operation aimed at destroying enemy bombers.”

STRATEGIC BOMBERS WERE THE TARGET

It was noted that the attacks targeted A-50 early warning aircraft, which are used in long-range missile strikes against Ukraine, as well as Tu-95 and Tu-22 strategic bombers. Ukrainian intelligence sources claimed that more than 40 Russian aircraft were destroyed as part of the operation.

An SBU official used the phrase, “Strategic bombers are burning in masses in Russia.” If the data is confirmed, this attack could be the largest loss inflicted on Russia’s air power since the war began in 2022.

FOOTAGE SPREAD ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Numerous videos and images were shared on social media immediately after the attack. The posts included moments when kamikaze drones, alleged to belong to Ukraine, struck aircraft parked on the runway, followed by large explosions.

It is alleged that one of the bases where the footage was taken is in Russia’s Irkutsk region in Siberia.

IRKUTSK GOVERNOR CONFIRMED THE ATTACK, EMERGENCY HEADQUARTERS ESTABLISHED

Irkutsk Regional Governor İgor Kobzev confirmed in a statement on his social media account that there was an attack on a military unit in the region. Sharing footage of the kamikaze drones in flight and the thick smoke rising, Kobzev announced that an emergency headquarters had been established following the incident and that security forces had been dispatched to the scene.

The governor stated that there is no clear information yet on how many drones participated in the attack.

OTHER BASES WERE ALSO HIT: MURMANSK REPORTS

Reports also suggest that the Ukrainian attacks were not limited to Irkutsk. According to reports, the Olenya Air Base in the Murmansk region, located in the northwest of the country, was also targeted.

While Russian media acknowledged the attack in Murmansk, it claimed that Russian air defense systems shot down many of the drones in the air.

RUSSIA ON ALARM

It is reported that the Russian administration has gone on alert following Ukraine’s air attacks. According to claims reflected in the Russian press, President Vladimir Putin may convene the Security Council urgently today.

Although there has been no official statement from the Kremlin yet, the scale and impact level of the attacks have caused serious security concerns within Russia.

CRITICAL LOSS IN RUSSIAN AIR POWER

Strategic bombers play a central role in the long-range missile attacks Russia conducts in its war against Ukraine. In particular, A-50 early warning aircraft perform critical functions in the coordination of air defense systems and radar control.