Ukraine’s military has launched a surprise drone attack on Russian airbases, causing significant damage and destruction. According to analysis by The New York Times, at least a dozen military aircraft were destroyed in the attack, including strategic bombers at two major airfields.
The drones were deployed from containers disguised as modular homes mounted on the back of a semi-truck and flew towards smoke plumes billowing from the airbases. Radar imagery shows that seven strategic bombers, including four Tupolev Tu-22M and three Tupolev Tu-95, were completely destroyed at the Belaya airbase.
Videos captured by witnesses show drones flying overhead and launching from containers before they exploded in mid-air. Satellite images also show decoy aircraft made of car tires and other materials being set up around the base to prevent drone attacks.
The Olenya airbase was also attacked, with footage showing drones hitting Tu-95 bombers and an An-12 cargo transport aircraft on fire. Analysts say that while the attack has dealt significant blows to Russia’s military capabilities, it does not appear to have changed the Kremlin’s resolve to pursue its military goals.
The Ukrainian Security Service confirmed that crates transporting drones were rigged to self-destruct once launched, adding a new level of sophistication to their drone technology.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/06/02/world/europe/ukraine-russia-drone-attacks.html