Ukrainian forces launched extensive drone attacks targeting military airbases deep within Russia on Sunday, June 1, 2025, causing damage and highlighting Ukraine’s increasing capability to strike far behind the front lines just hours before planned peace discussions in Istanbul. These coordinated strikes represent a significant operational achievement for Ukraine, disrupting Russian military assets days after an increase in mutual drone and missile barrages.
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Coordinated Strikes Across Five Regions
Sunday’s operation involved Ukrainian drones targeting military airfields across five distinct regions of Russia: Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur. Russia’s Ministry of Defence confirmed the attacks, stating that air defenses intercepted drones in most areas but acknowledging that assaults in Murmansk and Irkutsk led to aircraft catching fire.
According to the Russian ministry, FPV (First Person View) drones launched from areas near the airfields were responsible for starting fires on several aircraft in Murmansk and Irkutsk. FPV drones are small unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with cameras that transmit real-time video to an operator, enabling precise remote navigation. While fires were extinguished and no casualties were reported by Russia, they stated some individuals involved were detained.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lauded the operation as “absolutely brilliant” on social media, though official details from Kyiv on the scale and method were initially limited.
Details Emerge on Targets and Scale
On Monday, June 2, details from Ukrainian sources provided a clearer picture of the Sunday attacks. President Zelenskyy stated that 117 drones were used in the operation, asserting Russia suffered “very tangible losses.”
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) claimed responsibility, reporting that the strikes targeted Russian military aircraft valued at approximately $7 billion across several airbases located thousands of kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Key targets reportedly included the Belaya airbase in Irkutsk, situated roughly 4,300 km (2,670 miles) from Ukraine, and the Olenya airbase in south Murmansk, approximately 1,800 km (1,120 miles) away.
Ukrainian media, citing unnamed sources, suggested the SBU conducted the operation using drones potentially smuggled deep into Russia and concealed within trucks. These reports indicated that up to 41 Russian heavy bombers at four separate airbases might have been hit, specifically targeting Tu-95 and Tu-22 strategic bombers, aircraft frequently used by Russia to launch long-range missiles against Ukrainian cities. Russia has not confirmed the extent of the damage, but if Ukrainian claims are accurate, it could represent one of the most damaging drone strikes by Ukraine in the conflict so far.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks to journalists during a news conference in Kyiv, Ukraine
Al Jazeera’s reporting from Kyiv characterized the strike as “audacious,” noting it followed a significant acceleration in Russian airstrikes on Ukraine in the preceding weeks.
Context of Heightened Attacks and Peace Talks
The drone strikes occurred amid a recent intensification of drone and missile attacks by both Russia and Ukraine. In the week prior, Russia reportedly launched over 900 kamikaze drones and 92 missiles into Ukraine, resulting in at least 16 civilian deaths. This followed Ukrainian strikes involving some 800 drones targeting Russian military infrastructure in regions like Tula, Alabuga, and Tatarstan.
The timing of the strikes, just before a scheduled round of peace talks in Istanbul, is notable. Ukraine sent a delegation led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov for discussions with Russian officials on Monday. A previous meeting on May 16 facilitated a prisoner exchange of 1,000 individuals from each side. The Monday talks reportedly led to an agreement on another prisoner swap.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about Russia’s sincerity regarding peace negotiations but stated the Ukrainian delegation would prioritize a “complete and unconditional ceasefire” and the return of prisoners and abducted children. Russia, which has its own peace terms, declined a proposal for the meeting to involve leaders directly.
The Istanbul talks were partly influenced by efforts from US President Donald Trump to broker a swift end to the conflict. However, the meeting did not yield a major breakthrough. Trump had previously voiced frustration with the lack of progress, including criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Sunday drone strikes are the latest in a series of high-profile attacks targeting Russian territory and assets since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Previous Significant Ukrainian Operations
Over the course of the conflict, Ukraine has demonstrated a capability to strike targets previously thought to be well beyond its reach, often disrupting Russian logistics and symbols of power.
Crimea Bridge Attacks
The bridge connecting mainland Russia to the Crimean Peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014, has been a recurring target. In October 2022, a truck explosion on the bridge caused significant damage. After repairs, the bridge was struck again in July 2023 by what Russia claimed were two Ukrainian sea drones, resulting in casualties and further damage to the crucial supply route for Russian forces.
Black Sea Fleet Targets
Ukrainian forces launched multiple attacks on Russian Black Sea Fleet facilities in occupied Crimea in September 2023. These strikes, using drones and missiles near Sevastopol, reportedly damaged the fleet’s communications command center and aircraft at the Saky airfield. A particularly significant strike on September 22 targeted the Black Sea Fleet command headquarters, with Ukraine claiming substantial officer casualties.
Kremlin Drone Incident
In May 2023, the Kremlin in Moscow was reportedly targeted by two drones, which Russia claimed were disabled by electronic warfare. Moscow described the incident as a planned terrorist act and an assassination attempt on President Putin. Ukraine denied involvement, stating it fights only on its own territory, although some independent analysts suggested Ukrainian special forces might have been behind the attack on the symbol of Russian power.
Kursk Border Incursions
In August 2024, Ukrainian forces launched a surprise cross-border operation into Russia’s Kursk region, reportedly taking Moscow by surprise and prompting evacuations in the neighboring Belgorod region. Ukraine claimed control over a significant area of Kursk territory at the height of the incursion. While Russia later regained much of the lost ground, Ukraine launched a second wave of attacks in January 2025. However, a temporary cutoff of US military aid earlier in 2025 reportedly hindered Ukrainian efforts, allowing Russia to recapture most of the territory in Kursk by March.
The June 1st drone strikes represent a continuation of Ukraine’s strategy to pressure Russia by hitting military assets deep within its territory, adding another layer to the complex dynamics of the ongoing conflict ahead of potential diplomatic engagements.
