Kyiv, June 1, 2025 — In what appears to be one of the most significant long-range operations of the ongoing war, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has reportedly launched a massive drone strike on Russian airbases, damaging more than 40 strategic bomber aircraft. The attack marks a major escalation in Ukraine’s efforts to target military infrastructure deep within Russian territory.
According to The Kyiv Independent, citing a high-level security source, Ukraine targeted several Russian airbases including the Olenya Airbase and the Belaya Airbase in eastern Siberia—thousands of kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Satellite imagery and preliminary reports suggest fires broke out at these sites, potentially disabling key aircraft used in long-range bombing missions.
Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were reportedly used in the attacks, indicating the growing sophistication of Ukraine’s drone warfare capabilities. The governor of Russia's Irkutsk region confirmed that a Ukrainian remote-controlled UAV struck a military unit in Sredny village, marking the first such attack in Siberia.
Meanwhile, Russian news agency AFP reported that two separate bridge strikes also occurred on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least seven individuals. Although Russian authorities have not officially linked these incidents to Ukrainian operations, the timing suggests coordinated action.
The Associated Press further reported that Russia launched an extensive drone campaign against Ukraine on the same day, signifying a tit-for-tat escalation between the two nations.
Sources from Ukraine’s military command indicated that these strikes are part of a larger special operation aimed at crippling Russia’s ability to launch air raids by targeting bomber aircraft far from the frontline. The operation reflects Ukraine’s strategic shift toward offensive deep-strike capabilities to disrupt Russian military logistics and air dominance.
The situation remains fluid, and both Ukrainian and Russian officials have yet to release comprehensive official statements. Analysts believe this incident could mark a turning point in the three-year-old conflict, potentially expanding the geographical scope of the war and intensifying retaliatory actions.
