VIDEOS: Ukraine destroys 40 aircraft deep inside Russia, Zelenskyy says attacks on Russian airfields was 'a brilliant result'

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed a surprise attack on a number of Russian airfields by his intelligence service, the SBU.

"An absolutely brilliant result. A result achieved solely by Ukraine. One year, six months, and nine days from the start of planning to effective execution," Zelenskyy said in a post on X.

"Our people involved in preparing the operation were withdrawn from Russian territory in time," Zelenskyy went on to say.

The Ukrainian leader ended his post bv saying, "Russia started this war, Russia must end it." 

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Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk delivered a report regarding today’s operation. An absolutely brilliant result. A result achieved solely by Ukraine. One year, six months, and nine days from the start of planning to effective execution. Our most long-range… pic.twitter.com/oN41NFYyfw

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 1, 2025 >

Russian military airfields were struck by drones in a coordinated action, with claims that over 40 combat and reconnaissance aircraft were destroyed.

Russia’s Defense Ministry described the strikes as "terrorist attacks" in the regions of Ivanovo, Ryazan, Amur, Murmansk and Irkutsk.

Russia confirms Ukrainian strikes at 5 airfields

Russia's Defense Ministry said Ukraine had launched drone strikes targeting airfields across five regions.

"In the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions, the launch of FPV drones from an area in close proximity to airfields resulted in several aircraft catching fire," the ministry said.

Russia said most of the attacks were repelled.

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#UkraineRussiaWar #Ukraine️ Ukrainian.

Zelensky is launching Drones attack on Russia hiding behind NATO

The same NATO won't come out to save Ukraine when Putin strikes back and burn Kyiv pic.twitter.com/9mJDaM81Sa

— himanshi (@me__himanshi) June 1, 2025 >

Ukraine's SBU intelligence agency said it was behind the attacks on Russian planes which it said caused $7 billion (€6.17 billion) in damage.

"This is the estimated cost of the enemy's strategic aviation, which was hit today as a result of the SBU's special operation," they said in an online post.