'Russian bombers are burning en masse' - Ukraine's SBU drones reportedly strike over 40 aircraft in large-scale attack

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) is reported to have conducted a large-scale drone operation targeting Russian military air bases within the Russian Federation. According to an unnamed source cited by The Kyiv Independent, the operation resulted in more than 40 Russian military aircraft being hit. The affected aircraft reportedly include strategic and long-range bombers such as the A-50 airborne early warning aircraft, the Tu-95, and the Tu-22 M3. These aircraft types are significant components of Russia's long-range aviation capabilities, often used for reconnaissance and missile strikes. The incident, if confirmed, would represent one of the largest reported attacks on Russian air assets since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Kyiv Independent did not provide independent verification of the claims, and there has been no official statement from Russian authorities regarding the reported attack. The use of drones by Ukraine to target military infrastructure inside Russia has increased in frequency in recent months, reflecting evolving tactics in the ongoing conflict.