By SAMYA KULLAB
KYIV, Ukraine — A Ukrainian drone assault has destroyed greater than 40 Russian planes deep in Russia’s territory, a Ukrainian safety official informed The Related Press on Sunday, whereas Russia pounded Ukraine with missiles and drones a day earlier than the 2 sides meet for a brand new spherical of direct talks in Istanbul.
The official, who spoke on situation of anonymity to reveal operational particulars, mentioned the assault took over 1 1/2-year to execute and was personally supervised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The operation noticed drones transported in containers carried by vehicles deep into Russian territory, he mentioned. The drones reportedly hit 41 planes stationed at a number of airfields on Sunday afternoon, together with A-50, Tu-95 and Tu-22M plane, the official mentioned. Moscow has beforehand used Tupolev Tu-95 and Tu-22 long-range bombers to launch missiles at Ukraine, whereas A-50s are used to coordinate targets and detect air defenses and guided missiles.
Russia’s Protection Ministry in an announcement confirmed the assaults, which spanned 5 airfields. The FPV drones broken plane and sparked fires on air bases within the Irkutsk area, greater than 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) from Ukraine, in addition to Russia’s northern Murmansk, it mentioned. Strikes had been repelled within the Amur area in Russia’s Far East and within the western areas of Ivanovo and Ryazan, the ministry mentioned.
The assault got here the identical day as Zelenskyy mentioned Ukraine will ship a delegation to Istanbul for a brand new spherical of direct peace talks with Russia on Monday.
In an announcement on Telegram, Zelenskyy mentioned that Protection Minister Rustem Umerov will lead the Ukrainian delegation. “We’re doing every thing to guard our independence, our state and our folks,” Zelenskyy mentioned.
Ukrainian officers had beforehand referred to as on the Kremlin to offer a promised memorandum setting out its place on ending the conflict earlier than the assembly takes place. Moscow had mentioned it might share its memorandum throughout the talks.
Russian strike hits a military unit
Russia on Sunday launched the largest variety of drones — 472 — on Ukraine for the reason that full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine’s air pressure mentioned.
Russian forces additionally launched seven missiles alongside the barrage of drones, mentioned Yuriy Ignat, head of communications for the air pressure. Earlier Sunday, Ukraine’s military mentioned not less than 12 Ukrainian service members had been killed and greater than 60 had been injured in a Russian missile strike on a military coaching unit.
The strike occurred at 12:50 p.m., the assertion mentioned, emphasizing that no formations or mass gatherings of personnel had been being held on the time.
Ukrainian military commander Mykhailo Drapatyi later Sunday submitted his resignation following the assault. He was a revered commander whose management noticed Ukraine regain land on the japanese entrance for the primary time since Kyiv’s 2022 counteroffensive.
The coaching unit was situated to the rear of the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) energetic entrance line, the place Russian reconnaissance and strike drones are capable of strike. Ukraine’s forces lack troops and take further precautions to keep away from mass gatherings because the skies throughout the entrance line are saturated with Russian drones on the lookout for targets.
Northern stress
Russia’s Ministry of Protection mentioned Sunday that it had taken management of the village of Oleksiivka in Ukraine’s northern Sumy area. Ukrainian authorities in Sumy ordered necessary evacuations in 11 extra settlements Saturday as Russian forces make regular features within the space.
Talking Saturday, Ukraine’s high military chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, mentioned that Russian forces had been focusing their principal offensive efforts on Pokrovsk, Toretsk and Lyman within the Donetsk area, in addition to the Sumy border space.
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Comply with AP’s protection of the conflict in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
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