Ukraine Destroys 41 Russian Bombers in Coordinated Drone Strikes

Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack dubbed 'Operation Spiderweb' on multiple Russian military airbases deep inside Russian territory, reportedly destroying or damaging 41 strategic bomber aircraft and causing over $7 billion in damage. The strikes targeted airfields in Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ryazan, Ivanovo, and other regions, marking one of the most significant Ukrainian operations against Russia's strategic bomber fleet. Despite the attack's scale, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other top officials have remained publicly silent, with only vague acknowledgments from the Defense Ministry and no direct response to the drone strikes. Russian state media and propagandists have offered mixed reactions, ranging from downplaying the attack to issuing threats of nuclear retaliation against Ukraine and the West, though some Russian commentators expressed skepticism about the credibility of such threats. The operation was reportedly overseen personally by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and coincided with a second round of direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey. Ukrainian officials emphasized that the strikes targeted military assets without endangering civilians, highlighting Ukraine's intent to respond decisively to Russian aggression.