Ukraine claims drone strike hit 40 Russian bombers as talks to resume in Türkiye

Ukraine A “massive” drone attack was launched deep in Russian territory, security officials claiming that 40 military bombers were destroyed during another round of negotiations in Istanbul The prospect of a ceasefire.

Ukrainian security sources told CBS News that the attack (called “spider webs” (“operation spider webs”) took a year and a half to be executed and was personally supervised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy said in his evening speech that the operation had used 117 drones. He claimed the operation is headquartered in an office next to the local FSB headquarters. FSB is a Russian intelligence and security service.

Ukrainian security sources said Ukrainian security agencies brought trucks into roofs of mobile wooden pods deep in Russian territory and smuggled drones. During the attack, the roof was opened remotely so that the drone could take off.

The drone attacked the Belaya Airlines base in the Irkutsk region of Russia, more than 2,500 miles from Ukraine. Local Governor Igor Kobzev told the Associated Press that this is the first time the Ukrainian drone has seen in the region, stressing that it does not pose a threat to civilians.

The Ukrainian Security Agency said the operation had destroyed 34% of Russia’s air missile aircraft carriers, with losses estimated at $7 billion. This claim cannot be verified independently.

Although a White House spokesman declined to comment on the attack, government sources told CBS News on Sunday that the White House had no idea it was coming.

The drone attack came after Kiev announced a Russian military strike that killed at least 12 soldiers at the Army training site. The Ukrainian Air Force said it launched 472 Russian drones, the largest number since the full invasion three years ago.

Yuriy Ignat, head of communications at the Ukrainian Air Force, said Russian troops also launched seven missiles on the barrage of the drone.

The training unit is located at the rear of the 620-mile event frontline, with Russian reconnaissance and strike drones able to strike.

Meanwhile, the explosion caused two bridges to collapse and derail in western Russia, officials said Sunday. In one of the incidents, seven people were killed and dozens were injured.

The first bridge in the Bryansk region of the border with Ukraine collapsed on Saturday, causing casualties. The state-owned Russian Railways said the driver of the train was killed by the Russian Railways.

Hours later, officials said it was the second train when it collapsed in the nearby Kursk region, which also bordered Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said on Sunday that he was heading a Ukrainian delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to Istanbul to face-to-face with Russian delegates.

“We are doing everything we can to protect our independence, our country and our people,” he said.

Zelenskyy said the meeting’s priorities included a “full unconditional ceasefire” and the return of prisoners and children.

Russian news agency said the Russian delegation headed to Istanbul on Sunday for talks.

Ukrainian officials have previously called on the Kremlin to provide a promised memorandum that clarifies the position to end the war before the meeting is held. Moscow has said it will share its memorandum during the talks.

Emmet Lyons,

French Positioning Jennifer Jacobs contributed to the report.