WASHINGTON, D.C. – Just before Russia and Ukraine met for ceasefire talks in Turkey, Ukraine launched a massive drone strike deep inside Russia. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said they targeted specific military targets, damaging nearly a third of Russia’s fleet of air missile carriers.
A video from Sunday shows large plumes of smoke coming from a Russian air base, which appears to show planes heavily damaged and on fire. It’s part of a covert Ukrainian attack, codenamed “Operation Spiderweb” aimed at hitting military targets, specifically the equipment used in strikes against Ukraine.
“Russia suffered truly significant losses- entirely justified and deserved,” said Zelenskyy in a video message.
Zelenskyy said they’ve planned this attack for more than a year and a half, using 117 drones to carry out the strike on air bases hit in several regions deep in Russia. The attack follows large-scale strikes from Russia on Ukraine and right before another round of peace talks set in Turkey.
“We continue to propose a full and unconditional ceasefire, along with all dignified and rational steps that could lead to a lasting and reliable peace,” said Zelenskyy in a video message.
The talks ended after an hour. They did agree on a large prisoner exchange but no breakthrough in terms of a ceasefire. Russian state news agencies shared the text of a Russian memorandum, which suggests part of the settlement parameters includes the legal recognition of Russia incorporating four Ukrainian regions, the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian armed forces in those territories and Ukraine not entering into military alliances, referring to NATO. Russia also demands that Ukraine should be free of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction and recognize Russian as the country’s official language on par with Ukrainian. Ukraine and its allies have previously rejected these demands from Russia.
“We must make sure diplomacy is not empty,” said Zelenskyy. “Our delegation is now in Istanbul and we are ready to take the necessary steps for peace. Naturally the starting point is a ceasefire, humanitarian action, the release of prisoners and return of abducted children.”