In a dramatic turn in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Ukraine launched a massive drone strike on Russian military aircraft and airbases, with parts of the attack captured on video and shared widely on social media. The powerful counteroffensive came just hours after Russia’s largest overnight drone assault on Kyiv.
Attack Captured on Video
For the first time, Ukrainian drones were seen in real-time as they struck Russian military assets. A video, reportedly from the Irkutsk region of Siberia and shared by regional governor Igor Kobzev, shows Ukrainian drones flying directly over a military airfield before explosions erupted.
According to reports, over 40 Russian bombers were hit in this operation. The strike targeted strategic airbases like Olenya in Murmansk and others in Irkutsk, damaging both infrastructure and aircraft.
Ukrainian Retaliation After Russia’s Drone Onslaught
Ukraine’s drone strike was launched in response to a massive overnight Russian attack. The Ukrainian Air Force said it had shot down 472 drones and three out of seven missiles that Russia had launched across Ukrainian cities. One missile, however, struck a Ukrainian military training unit, tragically killing 12 soldiers.
This latest episode highlights the increasing use of drone warfare in the conflict. Ukrainian drones not only hit aircraft on the ground but also managed to penetrate deeply into Russian airspace—a significant blow to Russia’s aerial capabilities.
Targets Included Strategic Nuclear-Capable Bombers
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) confirmed that the drones hit Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers. These aircraft are critical to Russia’s long-range strike capabilities and have often been used to launch missiles into Ukrainian territory.
The Olenya airbase is a particularly sensitive target, as it is one of Russia’s strategic facilities and houses aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The successful targeting of this base demonstrates the increasing reach and accuracy of Ukraine’s drone technology.
Russian Response and Confirmation
Russia has acknowledged the damage. In a statement released via Telegram, the Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed that several aircraft caught fire due to drone attacks in the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions.
“Several aircraft caught fire following the launch of FPV drones from a territory located near the airfields,” the statement read.
The ministry claimed there were no casualties but added that “several participants” had been arrested in connection with the attack.
Previous Russian Strikes Take Heavy Civilian Toll
This strike comes just days after Russia launched 367 drones and missiles targeting multiple Ukrainian cities. These strikes resulted in the deaths of 13 people, including three children in the Zhytomyr region. The ongoing back-and-forth between the two countries is making it increasingly difficult for civilians to find safety.
Social Media Buzz and Global Attention
Footage of the Ukrainian drone strike quickly went viral on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). While some videos are yet to be verified, the Ukrainian government has confirmed the authenticity of the attack, reinforcing its message of resilience and retaliation.
What This Means for the War
This drone strike may mark a turning point in the war. For the first time, Ukraine has demonstrated its ability to carry out large-scale drone attacks deep inside Russian territory, even against high-value strategic targets. The damage to Russian aircraft—especially nuclear-capable bombers—could shift the balance in future aerial operations.