فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Kyiv, Ukraine – In a significant escalation just ahead of a new round of direct talks between the two sides, Ukraine announced today, Sunday, the destruction of over 40 Russian aircraft in a drone attack deep inside Russian territory. This comes as Russia simultaneously bombed the Ukrainian capital Kyiv with missiles and drones, a day before an anticipated meeting between the parties in Istanbul tomorrow, Monday.
“Large-Scale” Ukrainian Operation Ordered by President
A Ukrainian security official, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, revealed that the operation to destroy the Russian aircraft took more than a year and a half to prepare and was personally overseen by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The official explained that the operation involved transporting the drones in containers carried by trucks deep into Russian territory.
Reports indicate that the drones struck 41 bombers stationed at several airports this Sunday afternoon, including the Belaya air base in Russia’s Irkutsk region, located more than 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) from Ukraine. This marks the first appearance of a Ukrainian drone in that region, as confirmed by local governor Igor Kobzev, who stated that the drone was launched from a truck.
A source within the Ukrainian security service also reported today, Sunday, that Ukraine is carrying out a “large-scale” operation against Russian military aircraft. Ukraine estimates the cost of the damage to these Russian planes to be $7 billion, according to Agence France-Presse.
Russia Confirms “Fires Ignited” and Announces Arrests
For its part, Russia confirmed today, Sunday, that “fires ignited” on a number of its military aircraft due to the extensive Ukrainian drone attack, adding that suspects linked to the attack have been apprehended.
Intense Russian Attacks on Kyiv Ahead of Talks
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Air Force announced that Russia launched its largest drone attack on Ukraine since the start of the military operation three years ago. The Air Force stated that 472 drones were launched towards Ukraine, in addition to seven missiles, according to Yuriy Ignat, head of communications for the Ukrainian Air Force.
These heated field developments come on the same day Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine would send a delegation to Istanbul to participate in a new round of direct peace talks with Russia tomorrow, Monday.
