KYIV, Ukraine — A Ukrainian drone assault has destroyed greater than 40 Russian planes deep in Russia’s territory, a Ukrainian safety official advised The Related Press on Sunday, whereas Russia pounded Ukraine with missiles and drones a day earlier than the 2 sides meet for a brand new spherical of direct talks in Istanbul.
What You Want To Know
- A Ukrainian safety official says a drone assault has destroyed greater than 40 Russian planes deep in Russia’s territory
- The assault Sunday afternoon got here as Russia pounded Ukraine with missiles and drones a day earlier than the 2 sides meet for a brand new spherical of direct talks in Istanbul
- The Ukrainian official advised AP the assault took over 1 1/2-year to execute and was personally supervised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
- He stated the operation noticed drones transported in containers carried by vehicles deep into Russian territory earlier than the drones hit airfields together with the Belaya air base in Russia’s Irkutsk area
The official, who spoke on situation of anonymity to reveal operational particulars, stated the assault took over 1 1/2-year to execute and was personally supervised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The operation noticed drones transported in containers carried by vehicles deep into Russian territory, he stated. The drones reportedly hit 41 planes stationed at a number of airfields on Sunday afternoon, together with A-50, Tu-95 and Tu-22M plane, the official stated. Moscow has beforehand used Tupolev Tu-95 and Tu-22 long-range bombers to launch missiles at Ukraine, whereas A-50s are used to coordinate targets and detect air defenses and guided missiles.
Russia’s Protection Ministry in an announcement confirmed the assaults, which spanned 5 airfields. The FPV drones broken plane and sparked fires on air bases within the Irkutsk area, greater than 2,500 miles from Ukraine, in addition to Russia’s northern Murmansk, it stated. Strikes had been repelled within the Amur area in Russia’s Far East and within the western areas of Ivanovo and Ryazan, the ministry stated.
It’s the first time {that a} Ukrainian drone has been seen within the area, native Gov. Igor Kobzev stated. He additionally stated in an announcement that the drone had been launched from a truck. Russian officers within the Ryazan and Murmansk areas additionally reported drone exercise on Sunday afternoon, however didn’t give additional particulars.
The assault got here the identical day as Zelenskyy stated Ukraine will ship a delegation to Istanbul for a brand new spherical of direct peace talks with Russia on Monday.
In an announcement on Telegram, Zelenskyy stated that Protection Minister Rustem Umerov will lead the Ukrainian delegation. “We’re doing the whole lot to guard our independence, our state and our folks,” Zelenskyy stated.
Ukrainian officers had beforehand referred to as on the Kremlin to supply a promised memorandum setting out its position on ending the warfare earlier than the assembly takes place. Moscow had stated it could share its memorandum in the course of the talks.
Russian strike hits a military unit
Russia on Sunday launched the largest variety of drones — 472 — on Ukraine because the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine’s air power stated.
Russian forces additionally launched seven missiles alongside the barrage of drones, stated Yuriy Ignat, head of communications for the air power. Earlier Sunday, Ukraine’s military stated not less than 12 Ukrainian service members had been killed and greater than 60 had been injured in a Russian missile strike on a military coaching unit.
The strike occurred at 12:50 p.m., the assertion stated, emphasizing that no formations or mass gatherings of personnel had been being held on the time. An investigative fee was created to uncover the circumstances across the assault that led to such a loss in personnel, the assertion stated.
The coaching unit is positioned to the rear of the 620-mile energetic entrance line, the place Russian reconnaissance and strike drones are capable of strike.
Ukraine’s forces undergo from manpower shortages and take additional precautions to keep away from mass gatherings because the skies throughout the entrance line are saturated with Russian drones on the lookout for targets.
“Whether it is established that the actions or inaction of officers led to the loss of life or damage of servicemen, these accountable will likely be held strictly accountable,” the Ukrainian Floor Forces’ assertion stated.
Northern stress
Russia’s Ministry of Protection stated Sunday that it had taken management of the village of Oleksiivka in Ukraine’s northern Sumy area. Ukrainian authorities in Sumy ordered necessary evacuations in 11 extra settlements Saturday as Russian forces make regular positive factors within the space.
Talking Saturday, Ukraine’s prime military chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated that Russian forces had been focusing their essential offensive efforts on Pokrovsk, Toretsk and Lyman within the Donetsk area, in addition to the Sumy border space.
