Kyiv, June 1, 2025 — In a major escalation of drone warfare, Ukraine launched a large-scale unmanned aerial assault on Sunday, targeting four Russian military airfields and reportedly damaging over 40 military aircraft, according to Ukrainian security sources cited by Reuters.
A Ukrainian official claimed the coordinated strikes were executed by the SBU domestic intelligence agency, targeting strategic airbases used by Russia to launch long-range missile attacks on Ukrainian soil.
Among the aircraft reportedly hit were Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers—critical assets in Russia’s offensive air strategy. These aircraft are known for their role in launching missile barrages deep into Ukrainian territory. Video clips released by Ukrainian sources showed multiple aircraft in flames, though Reuters could not independently verify the footage.
If validated, this could represent one of the most damaging Ukrainian drone strikes since the start of the conflict in February 2022.
Russia’s Record Drone Offensive on Ukraine
In a retaliatory move or possibly a parallel escalation, Russia launched 472 drones and seven missiles across Ukraine on the same night, marking the largest aerial offensive by Moscow since the beginning of the war, Ukraine’s air force stated.
Out of the 472 drones, 385 were intercepted by Ukraine’s air defense systems, minimizing the potential destruction. Ukrainian Air Force spokespersons highlighted the intensity of the attack, saying it broke all previous records of drone assaults since the full-scale invasion began.
Rising Tensions Ahead of Istanbul Talks
These developments come just days before planned diplomatic talks between Kyiv and Moscow in Istanbul, raising concerns about further military escalations.
Ukraine, lacking the long-range ballistic capabilities of its adversary, has been increasingly dependent on homegrown drone technology to strike key Russian military and energy assets behind enemy lines.
This latest strike may not only damage Russia’s aerial capacity but also showcase Ukraine’s evolving technological capabilities and strategic precision.
Stay tuned to The Quick Update for real-time coverage of global geopolitical events.
