No mercy in the air: Ukraine and Russia's relentless battle of drones and missile | Opinion

Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack on Russia’s Belaya airbase in Siberia, damaging over 40 strategic bombers, while Russia retaliated with a massive drone and missile barrage amid looming peace talks.

Ukraine carried out a major drone attack deep inside Russia, aiming at nuclear-capable bombers stationed at a key airbase in Siberia. According to sources quoted by Reuters, the strike was part of a “large-scale special operation” meant to destroy Russia’s long-range aircraft.

A Ukrainian security source told Reuters that more than 40 Russian military aircraft were damaged in a planned drone attack on the Belaya airbase, located in Irkutsk Oblast—over 4,300 km away from Ukraine’s border.

Belaya airbase, located in Irkutsk Oblast, Russia, is a major military airbase known for housing long-range strategic bombers, including those capable of carrying nuclear weapons. It plays a key role in Russia’s air defense and long-distance strike operations, making it an important and sensitive military target during conflicts.

Ukraine Targets Russia's Tu-95 and Tu-22 Bombers

According to reports by The Times of India (TOI), an unnamed official said that Ukraine’s domestic security agency, the SBU, carried out the drone attack. It targeted Russia’s Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers, which have been used to launch missile strikes on Ukraine.

Tu-95:

The Tu-95 is a long-range Russian bomber known for its unique turboprop engines and loud noise. It can carry nuclear or conventional missiles and fly thousands of kilometers without refueling. Despite being old, it remains a powerful part of Russia’s strategic air force, used for long-distance strikes.

Tu-22:

The Tu-22 is a Russian supersonic bomber designed for fast, long-range missions. It can carry heavy bombs or missiles and fly at high speeds to avoid enemy defenses. Often used in combat roles, including missile attacks, it’s a key part of Russia’s tactical and strategic air power.

Ukraine claimed that its drone attack on the Russian airbases caused damage to military aircraft worth around $2 billion.

The Belaya airbase, near the village of Sredny in eastern Siberia, is known for hosting Tu-22M long-range supersonic bombers. Igor Kobzev, the governor of Irkutsk, confirmed that a drone attack had taken place at a military site in the Usolsky district, although he didn’t specifically mention bombers or strategic aircraft.

In a video he shared on Telegram, the sound of drones can be heard flying above, while thick smoke rises into the sky. Kobzev also mentioned that this was the first drone attack in the region and said the drones were launched from a truck.

Ukrainian sources told the BBC that one of the drone strikes also hit an airbase near Murmansk, a key location for Russia’s long-range bombers. Russian media confirmed there was a drone attack in that area and said air defense systems were activated to respond.

These strikes happened at the same time Russia launched what Ukraine’s air force called the biggest drone attack since the full-scale war began. According to Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ignat, Russia fired 472 drones and seven missiles at Ukraine on Sunday. Ukrainian forces said they were able to shoot down 385 of those aerial threats.

These events are happening as both sides prepare for a new round of peace talks in Istanbul. Ukraine’s Defence Minister, Rustem Umerov, will lead the Ukrainian team. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is doing everything possible to protect its independence, its country, and its people.

Russia's Iskander-M Strikes Ukrainian Control Units

On Sunday, a deadly Russian missile strike hit a Ukrainian army training center, killing at least 12 soldiers and injuring more than 60. This led to an internal investigation to find out if there were any mistakes or failures in leadership.

According to Sputnik, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that an Iskander-M tactical missile struck Ukrainian mobile drone launch and control units near Krolevets in the Sumy region.

The strike destroyed two vehicles used to operate drones, along with their crews. The report also said that surveillance systems recorded fires breaking out among the drones that were ready for launch, followed by explosions as their warheads went off.

The Iskander-M is a Russian short-range tactical missile system known for its speed, precision, and ability to evade enemy defenses. Here’s what makes it special in simple terms:

• Fast and Hard to Stop: It can travel at speeds up to 7,000–8,000 km/h, making it difficult for air defense systems to shoot it down.
• Accurate Strikes: The missile can hit targets with high accuracy, usually within a few meters. This makes it effective against enemy command centers, missile systems, or troop formations.
• Range: It can hit targets up to 500 kilometers away, allowing it to strike deep into enemy territory without entering danger zones.
• Manoeuvrable: Unlike older missiles, the Iskander-M can change direction mid-flight, making it even harder to intercept.
• Can Carry Different Warheads: It can be loaded with various types of warheads, including explosives, cluster munitions, and even nuclear ones (though nuclear use would be rare and heavily controlled).

In short, the Iskander-M is a powerful battlefield weapon designed to deliver sudden, hard-hitting attacks before the enemy can react.

(Girish Linganna is an award-winning science communicator and a Defence, Aerospace & Geopolitical Analyst. He is the Managing Director of ADD Engineering Components India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. Contact: girishlinganna@gmail.com )

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