Ukraine destroys more than 40 Russian aircraft in drone attack

AUTHOR:M.J. GDNUS

Ukraine has destroyed more than 40 Russian aircraft in a drone attack deep inside Russian territory.

A Ukrainian security official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said that a large-scale attack on military airfields in Russia caused $7 billion in damage to aviation.

"Seven billion US dollars. This is the estimated damage to the enemy's strategic aviation, which was hit today as a result of the special operation "Spider's Web" conducted by the SBU," the statement said on Telegram.

It added that 34 percent of aircraft carrying strategic cruise missiles were hit, N1 reported.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the SBU members who were preparing the special operation "Spider's Web" in which four Russian military airfields were attacked with drones were quickly withdrawn from Russian territory.

Zelensky said in a Facebook post that the operation had been planned "for a year, six months and nine days," Ukrinform reported.

"The most interesting thing - and it can already be said publicly now - the "office" of our operation on the territory of Russia was located right next to the administration of the Russian FSB in one of their regions," he said.

Zelensky added that a total of 117 drones were used in the operation.

"About 34 percent of the strategic cruise missile launchers at the base's airfields were set on fire. Our people operated in the territory of different Russian regions - in three time zones. Our people were also removed from the territory of Russia on the eve of the operations, now they are safe - those who helped us," Zelensky said.

FPV (First Person View) drones allow their pilots to see live images of the ground as if they were on it.