Ukraine – Russia: « On another level » – at the expense of new attacks the conversations in Istanbul
Volodimir Zelenski has confirmed that Ukraine will take part in talks with Russia in Istanbul on Monday, June 2, but after its announcement, Kiev conducted the « Spiderweb » operation, in which drones hit at least 40 fighter aircraft.
The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) was preparing for over a year and a half, while Sky News reports that it was personally supervised by Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski.
The drones were launched by trucks that had entered Russia, according to SBU sources.
Watch videos from the business « Spiderweb »
UKRINIAN FPV DRONES HAVE ATTACKED OLENYA AND BELAYA AIRBASES IN MURMANSK AND IRKUTSK OBLAST. Russian Tu-95ms Strategic Bombers Are Burning.
Russian Media Reports That Drones Were Launched from Trucks Near the Airbases. pic.twitter.com/asr4iglsyj
– AMK Mapping (@amk_mapping_) JUNE 1, 2025
Earlier, Russia had accused Ukraine of sabotage on two Russian bridges that collapsed in Kursk and Bryansk. At least seven are dead and 31 are injured.
Also, the head of Ukraine’s land forces, Lieutenant General Michael Drapati, resigned after a Russian ballistic missile attack that hit the Ukrainian Army training facilities earlier today.
International media report that the above events are further strengthening the climate in view of the second round of talks in Turkey, three years after the collapse of the first negotiations to end the war.
‘New level’
Paul Adams, a BBC diplomatic correspondent in Kiev, notes that Ukraine’s attack on Russia’s bases is the most « bold » he has attempted, while stressing that the Ukrainian forces have hit fighter aircraft at times, but never on such a scale.
« It is not clear how the attack was orchestrated, but given the small size of the unmanned aircraft involved, it is likely that it started from inside Russia, » Adams said.
The drones used in the attack. Photo source: SBU
Sky News published a map that captures the Ukrainian attacks.
A source of Ukraine’s secret services told Sky News that unmanned aircraft targeted aircraft bombing Ukrainian cities every night, with the A-50s, Tu-95 and Tu-22 M3 to be among those hit.
What does Kiev’s attack on Russian bases mark
Sky News emphasizes that although so far the drones have been used on both sides for attacks near the border, the Kiev attack on Russian bases marks something different.
« Take an example of the Air Force Base. It is important because they allegedly take off bombers to launch unmanned aircraft attacks by Ukraine.
It is located in the Murmank area of Russia, more than 1,700 kilometers from the border with Ukraine, « the British media said.
The program of talks in Istanbul
According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul will be hosted at the Giragan Palace and start at 13:00 Greek time.
