Ukraine says 40 Russian military aircraft damaged in massive airbase strikes

Ukrainian forces claim to have hit more than 40 Russian warplanes at several military airfields in a large-scale drone attack deep within Russian territory.

The operation, said to have been carried out by Ukraine’s security service, SBU, struck four different airfields in what may be the most severe drone assault since the conflict began three years ago.

“Multiple enemy strategic bombers are burning on Russian soil. This is the outcome of a special SBU mission,” international media reported, quoting an SBU official.

The drone attacks followed a series of explosions overnight that targeted Russian railway infrastructure, leading to train derailments and at least seven fatalities.

Video footage from the Belaya air base in Siberia shows several Russian nuclear-capable and strategic bombers ablaze, while thick black smoke was also seen rising above the Olenya base in the Arctic.

In a bid to shield these aircraft from drone threats, Russia had previously relocated them far from the front lines.

Additional strikes were reported at the Ivanovo air base, located northeast of Moscow, and at the Dyagilevo base to the south of the capital.

Meanwhile, a powerful blast was reported in Severomorsk, a key Arctic city that hosts the main naval base of Russia’s Northern Fleet. The extent of the damage remains unclear.