Ukraine said Sunday it had launched a large-scale drone assault on multiple Russian airbases deep within Russian territory, just a day before planned ceasefire negotiations in Istanbul.
According to Ukrainian security sources, the coordinated strikes targeted airfields in Belaya (eastern Siberia), Olenya (near Finland), Ivanovo, and Dyagilevo—reportedly damaging or destroying over 40 aircraft in a single location. The operation is estimated to have caused around $2 billion in damages.
AFP has not independently verified the claims or video footage released by Ukrainian officials.
Meanwhile, Russian authorities reported two bridge collapses in regions bordering Ukraine—Bryansk and Kursk—blaming explosions and labelling them as suspected “acts of terrorism.” However, no formal accusations have been made against Ukraine.
The escalation comes just as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky prepares to send a delegation to Turkey for ceasefire talks, led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov. The meeting, set for Monday, follows diplomatic pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to bring a swift end to the war, now in its third year.
Zelensky said Kyiv’s priorities include achieving a “complete and unconditional ceasefire” and securing the return of prisoners of war and abducted children. Still, he voiced scepticism over Russia’s willingness to engage in genuine negotiations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has refused Turkey’s proposal for a leadership summit and has yet to reveal Moscow’s conditions for peace.
Tensions remain high on the ground. Ukraine confirmed that a Russian missile strike on a military training base killed at least 12 soldiers and wounded over 60. Following the attack, Ukrainian Ground Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapaty resigned, taking responsibility for the loss.
In Russia, the bridge collapse in Bryansk caused a passenger train derailment, killing seven people, while the Kursk blast damaged a freight route and injured its operator. Both cases are under investigation as terrorist attacks.
On the frontlines, Russia claimed to have captured another village in Ukraine’s Sumy region, where over 50,000 Russian troops are reportedly massed near the border. Ukrainian authorities have evacuated over 200 villages in the area as shelling continues to intensify.
