Ukrainian Drones Hit Russian Bombers in High-Stakes Strike

In a bold escalation of its military campaign, Ukraine launched its largest drone operation yet, striking deep into Russian territory on Sunday, with over 40 military aircraft reportedly hit, including strategic bombers such as the Tu-95 and Tu-22. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) claimed responsibility for the attack, marking a significant milestone in Kyiv’s evolving use of long-range drone warfare.

According to multiple media reports, the Ukrainian drone strike targeted a military airbase in the Irkutsk region of eastern Siberia, thousands of kilometers from Ukraine’s borders. The strike focused on a facility in the Sredny settlement, as confirmed by Igor Kobzev, the governor of Irkutsk Oblast. Kobzev acknowledged that Ukrainian drones attacked a military unit stationed in the region, although the extent of the damage has not yet been independently verified by Russian defense authorities.

The Tu-95 and Tu-22 strategic bombers—iconic aircraft in Russia’s long-range strike capabilities—have been repeatedly used to launch cruise missiles at Ukrainian infrastructure and cities. These bombers, designed during the Cold War era, form a backbone of Russia’s aerial offensive capabilities. By targeting these high-value assets, Ukraine appears to be sending a strong message: even Russia’s deeply located military bases are no longer immune from retaliation.

Ukrainian media, citing unnamed SBU sources, reported that the drones inflicted “significant damage” to both aircraft and supporting infrastructure. The number—over 40 aircraft allegedly affected—suggests not only a high degree of planning and coordination but also a dramatic improvement in Ukraine’s ability to execute long-range precision drone operations.

This unprecedented attack marks a shift in the nature of the conflict, expanding far beyond front-line engagements. It underscores Ukraine’s growing emphasis on leveraging unmanned aerial systems to hit strategic Russian targets far from the battlefield.

The Russian Ministry of Defense has yet to issue an official statement confirming the scale of the damage or losses, though initial reports suggest emergency crews responded to the drone incursion promptly.