Sunday June 1, 2025|

Ukraine claims to have hit more than 40 Russian bombers, in what appears to be one of the most audacious attacks so far on Russian aviation.

According to a statement from Ukraine’s security service, the SBU, “enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia”.

It says Ukraine is conducting “a large scale special operation aimed at destroying enemy bomber aircraft.” It says more than 40 aircraft have been hit.

It has released dramatic video which it says shows a drone attack at the Belaya airbase in Irkutsk oblast, in Siberia. Bombers are under attack, with explosions visible and smoke rising.

Reports suggest other aircraft have been attacked at the Olenya airbase, near Murmansk. Russian media is reporting the attack in Murmansk but says air defences are working. The attack in Irkutsk is also being reported.