Volodymyr Zelenskyy celebrated Ukraine’s “brilliant” operation against Russian aviation: “It will go down in the history books.”

Volodymyr Zelenskyy celebrated this Sunday the historic operation carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) against Russian strategic aviation. This attack, which took more than a year and a half of planning, marked a milestone in Ukrainian tactics against Russia.

“An absolutely brilliant result. An independent result from Ukraine. One year, six months, and nine days from the start of planning to effective execution. Our most extensive operation to date,” the head of state wrote in a Telegram message.

While the specific aspects of “Operation Web” remain confidential at this time, Zelensky stated that these actions “will go down in the history books.”

Furthermore, the Ukrainian president assured that all individuals involved in the preparation of the plan were evacuated from Russian territory on time, emphasizing the safety and effectiveness of the operation. In his message, he reiterated Ukraine’s stance by expressing that the country has the right to defend itself and is committed to pressuring Russia to end the war initiated by Moscow.

“Ukraine is defending itself, and rightly so: we are doing everything possible to make Russia feel the need to end this war. Russia started this war, Russia must end it”, he insisted.

According to figures released by the Ukrainian Security Service, the estimated cost of the damage inflicted on Russian strategic aviation exceeds $7 billion.

Zelensky also detailed that “a total of 117 drones were used in the operation. And a corresponding number of drone operators worked,” underlining that “34% of the strategic cruise missile carriers at the airfields were hit,” which represents a considerable blow to the Russian military infrastructure.

The leader also thanked the head of the SBU, Vasil Maliuk, for the success achieved.

A Ukrainian security official, cited by AP on condition of anonymity, claimed that the attack destroyed more than 40 Russian aircraft. According to this official, the operation was personally supervised by President Zelensky.

The drones, transported in trucks with containers, reached 41 aircraft parked at various airfields, including A-50, Tu-95, and Tu-22M models. These aircraft have been used by Moscow to launch missiles against Ukraine and to coordinate targets and detect air defenses.

The Russian Ministry of Defense, for its part, acknowledged the attacks, which affected five airports in different regions of the country. According to the ministry, FPV drones damaged aircraft and caused fires at air bases in the Irkutsk region, located more than 4,000 kilometers from Ukraine, as well as in Murmansk, in northern Russia. In addition, Russia reported having repelled other attacks in Amur, in the Far East, and in the western regions of Ivanovo and Ryazan.

The impact of the operation extends beyond material damage. The Ukrainian attack occurred on the eve of a new round of direct peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, scheduled to be held in Istanbul. Zelensky announced this Sunday that the Minister of Defense, Rustem Umerov, will head the Ukrainian delegation in the negotiations. “We are doing everything possible to protect our independence, our State and our people,” stated the Ukrainian president.

Ukrainian authorities had previously requested the Kremlin to present a memorandum with its position on ending the war before the meeting. Moscow, for its part, indicated that it would share said document during the talks in Istanbul.

For its part, this Sunday the Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched the largest number of drones in a single day since the beginning of the large-scale invasion in February 2022. In addition, Putin’s troops fired seven missiles along with the barrage of drones, according to Yuriy Ignat, head of communications for the Ukrainian Air Force.

On the same Sunday, a Russian missile attack on a Ukrainian army training unit left at least 12 soldiers dead and more than 60 wounded. The attack occurred at 12:50 p.m., and the military statement emphasized that no formations or mass gatherings of personnel were taking place at that time. Following the incident, the commander of the Ukrainian army, Mykhailo Drapatyi, submitted his resignation. Drapatyi was considered a respected commander, under whose leadership Ukraine had regained territories on the eastern front during the 2022 counteroffensive.

The attacked training unit is located in the rear of the active front line, which stretches for 1,000 kilometers. In this area, Russian reconnaissance and attack drones can easily reach targets. Ukrainian forces, facing personnel shortages, have adopted additional measures to avoid overcrowding, as the skies on the front line are saturated with Russian drones in search of targets.

In northern Ukraine, meanwhile, Russian pressure continues. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Sunday the capture of the village of Oleksiivka, in the Sumy region. Ukrainian authorities ordered mandatory evacuations in 11 localities on Saturday, in the face of the advance of Russian forces in the area. The head of the Ukrainian Army, Oleksandr Syrskyi, indicated that Russian forces are concentrating their main offensive efforts in Pokrovsk, Toretsk and Lyman, in the Donetsk region, as well as in the border area of Sumy.