Ukraine Targets Five Russian Air Bases with Coordinated Drone Strikes
On June 1, 2025, Ukraine launched a series of drone attacks against five Russian air bases located deep within Russian territory. The strikes employed First Person View (FPV) drones and reportedly targeted and damaged a significant number of military aircraft across these bases.
Details of the Attack and Damage
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that air bases in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions were targeted. While they acknowledged damage to several aircraft, they asserted that attacks on some bases were successfully repelled, with no casualties reported among military personnel or civilians.
Key points from the Russian Defense Ministry statement:
- Five air bases sustained drone attacks.
- Damage confirmed to some Russian aircraft.
- No casualties among servicemen or civilians.
- Detainment of some individuals involved in the attacks.
- Repulsion of attacks at Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur airfields.
Ukrainian Claims and Planning
Ukrainian officials claimed the drone strikes destroyed about 40 Russian aircraft, including strategic bombers, with a total estimated damage of approximately $7 billion. The operation was reportedly orchestrated over a period of 11 months by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), showcasing extensive planning and coordination.
Further details include:
- A total of 117 drones were used in the operation.
- Targets focused exclusively on military assets used in aggression against Ukraine.
- The drones were launched from proximate Ukrainian areas enabling assaults on deep Russian airfields such as Olenegorsk in Murmansk and Sredny in the Irkutsk region.
Presidential Remarks and Strategic Context
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lauded the strikes as a "brilliant operation" involving meticulous planning over a year and a half. Emphasizing precision, Zelenskyy stated the operation targeted only military objectives, representing a strategic blow to Russian military capacity.
"Today, a brilliant operation was carried out—on enemy territory, targeting only military objectives, specifically the equipment used to strike Ukraine. Russia suffered significant losses—entirely justified and deserved."
Analysts interpret these deep strikes as an effort to increase pressure on Russia ahead of a planned second round of peace negotiations scheduled in Istanbul, where Russian negotiators led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky have already arrived.
Implications for the Conflict and Peace Talks
The drone attacks mark a significant escalation in Ukraine’s capability to strike strategic targets far inside Russian territory, challenging previous perceptions of Russian military security at home bases.
This operation may influence the dynamics of the upcoming peace talks, possibly shifting leverage towards Ukraine as it demonstrates enhanced offensive reach and tactical planning.
