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In a significant escalation of the conflict, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has executed a large-scale drone operation targeting Russian bombers. As of June 1, a source within the agency reported that "more than 40" aircraft have been hit at air bases deep within Russia.

The SBU's drones struck various types of bombers, including the A-50, Tu-95, and Tu-22 M3, known for their roles in the ongoing war against Ukraine. Video footage supplied by the source shows a row of heavy bombers ablaze at an undisclosed location. One of the main targets was confirmed to be the Belaya air base in Irkutsk Oblast, roughly 4,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Igor Kobzev, governor of Irkutsk Oblast, acknowledged a drone attack on a military unit in the village of Sredny but provided no further information.

Reports from social media also suggest that the Olenya air base in Murmansk Oblast was hit, resulting in a fire. Murmansk Governor Andrey Chibis confirmed that the region had been targeted by enemy drones, but withheld additional details.

The type of drones used in these operations remains undisclosed, though unverified social media reports indicate some may have been FPV models launched from vans near the airfields. In March, Ukraine announced the development of a drone with a range of 3,000 kilometers, but specifics regarding its design and capabilities have not been released.

The targeted aircraft perform crucial functions for Russia's military actions in Ukraine. The A-50, a vital component in detecting air defense systems and coordinating missile strikes, comprises less than ten units in Russia's arsenal and is valued at approximately $350 million each. The older Tu-95, first flown in 1952, has been adapted from carrying nuclear bombs to launching cruise missiles. Each Tu-95 can carry up to 16 Kh-55, Kh-555, or the newer Kh-101 and Kh-102 missiles.

The faster Tu-22, equipped with supersonic Kh-22 missiles, poses a significant challenge to Ukrainian defenses, capable of reaching speeds of 4,000 kilometers per hour. Currently, only U.S.-made Patriot systems and potentially the SAMP-T system from Italy and France can intercept these missiles. The Tu-160, meanwhile, stands as Russia's most modern strategic bomber, operational since 1987, and remains the largest bomber in the world, capable of carrying a substantial payload of missiles.

This drone attack marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict, demonstrating Ukraine's growing capability to strike far beyond its own borders.