In a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Ukrainian drones have allegedly targeted a remote Russian airbase in the Arctic, resulting in the destruction of at least one strategic bomber. According to Ukrainian media reports, the attack took place at the Olenya airfield in the Murmansk region, causing damage to a Tupolev Tu-22M3 long-range supersonic bomber-missile carrier.

The Tu-22M3 is a formidable aircraft capable of firing AS-4 heavy anti-ship or Kh-22 cruise missiles. This marks the first time that Ukraine claims to have downed a Tu-22M3, with the previous incident occurring on April 19 when the aircraft crashed in Russia's Stavropol Krai after Russia initiated an attack on Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region.

While specific details about the attack remain undisclosed, a source within Ukraine's military intelligence agency, the Kyiv Independent, claimed responsibility for Saturday's assault. The source did not provide information about whether other aircraft were targeted in the attack.

Newsweek has reached out to both the Russian and Ukrainian defense ministries for comment regarding the incident at Olenya airfield. The airbase is located over 1,200 miles from the Ukrainian border and a mere 120 miles from Finland, which angered Moscow when it joined NATO back in 2023.

Satellite imagery had previously indicated that Russia had deployed two Tu-160 and 14 Tu-95 strategic bombers, capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear cruise missiles, to the Olenya airfield in May, as reported by the Barents Observer.

Although reports of Saturday's strike have not been independently confirmed, pro-Ukrainian social media users have enthusiastically shared the news. Jürgen Nauditt, a user on X, posted about the Ukrainian drones hitting a Russian TU-22M3 strategic bomber in Olenya, emphasizing the 1,800 km distance between the airfield and Ukraine on a map.

Furthermore, the Kyiv Independent intelligence source referred to other reported attacks on airfields located deep inside Russian territory. One such attack targeted the Dyagilevo airfield in the Ryazan region, approximately 100 miles southeast of Moscow. This airfield houses various aircraft, including Tu-95MS, Tu-22M3, Tu-134UBL, and Ilyushin Il-78, as well as a repair plant for the planes.

Social media users reported hearing explosions, but the Russian Defense Ministry has claimed that their air defenses successfully shot down drones over Ryazan and four other Russian regions bordering Ukraine.

It is worth noting that Ukraine is prohibited from using Western-supplied long-range weapons to attack Russian territory, as it could potentially escalate the conflict. However, Ukraine reportedly frequently launches drone strikes on Russian military and energy installations without directly claiming responsibility.

Separately, the Kyiv Independent reported that Ukraine's military intelligence agency, GUR, has orchestrated sabotage operations resulting in the damaging of three helicopters over the past week. According to a source, the incidents involved sabotaging Mi-28 and Ka-226 helicopters on July 21 at Moscow's National Center of Helicopter Construction, where explosions were reported. Another Ukrainian operation allegedly destroyed an Mi-8 helicopter on July 24 at the Samara Kryazh military airfield, which is located 500 miles from the border, in Russia's Samara region.

As the conflict between Ukraine and Russia escalates, the situation remains tense, with both sides continuing to engage in military activities that further strain relations between the neighboring nations.