Ukraine has carried out one of its most ambitious drone strikes since the start of the war, targeting four Russian air bases deep inside Russian territory and inflicting what Ukrainian sources describe as heavy losses on Russia’s strategic bomber fleet.
The operation, reportedly conducted by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) under the code-name “Pavutyna” (“Web”), struck airfields in multiple regions, including Belaya, Olenya, and the village of Sridni in eastern Siberia, more than 5,000 kilometres from the front lines.
Ukrainian media, citing intelligence officials, reported that the attack disabled or destroyed more than 40 Russian aircraft, including Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 long-range bombers, critical to Russia’s missile strike operations, and at least one A-50 airborne early warning aircraft.
The Kyiv Independent, citing sources close to the operation, described the damage as “extensive,” claiming that multiple aircraft were destroyed on the ground and infrastructure severely damaged, especially at Belaya air base, where a large fire broke out following the strikes.
This marks the first confirmed Ukrainian drone strike in Siberia, a development confirmed by Igor Kobzev, governor of Russia’s Irkutsk region, who said that a military unit in Sridni had been hit by a “remote-piloted aircraft.”
Strategic Implications
If independently verified, the destruction of such high-value strategic assets would represent one of the most damaging Ukrainian strikes of the war, undermining Russia’s long-range strike capabilities and demonstrating Ukraine’s evolving reach using drones.
Ukrainian officials framed the operation as a preemptive defensive action to neutralise platforms used in bombing raids and missile launches against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Russia Responds
While Russian state media RT confirmed the attack on Irkutsk and shared drone footage, Moscow has not yet commented on the extent of the reported damage. Emergency and military response teams have been deployed, and Russian authorities claim the launch paths for the drones have since been blocked.
Diplomacy Amid Escalation
The drone campaign coincides with renewed diplomatic efforts, as Russia and Ukraine prepare for direct talks in Istanbul on Monday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that a delegation led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov will attend, with a mandate to pursue a “complete and unconditional ceasefire” and the return of prisoners and abducted Ukrainian children.
The dual-track strategy, combining military escalation with high-level diplomacy, reflects a broader effort by Kyiv to leverage battlefield gains into negotiating power at the international table.
