Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) reportedly launched a massive drone strike on June 1, damaging more than 40 Russian military planes at airbases near the frontlines. According to Reuters, the operation targeted multiple sites across Russian territory.

A source from the SBU told the Kyiv Independent that “enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia,” claiming it was “the result of a special operation by the SBU.” The source added that SBU drones are “practicing on aircraft that bomb Ukrainian cities every night.”

So far, the report says, at least 40 planes — including the A-50, Tu-95, and Tu-22 M3 — have been hit. However, no independent source has confirmed the scale of damage yet.

Russia Confirms Drone Strikes in Several Regions

Meanwhile, Russian state-run media RT confirmed that drones attacked a military facility in the Irkutsk Region. Local Governor Igor Kobzev noted this was “the first UAV raid in Siberia.”

One of the airbases hit hardest was reportedly the Belaya airbase in Irkutsk Oblast. In addition, the governor of Murmansk Oblast stated that “enemy drones have attacked the territory of the Murmansk region,” but shared no further information.

According to Russia’s Defence Ministry, air defence units destroyed or intercepted 95 Ukrainian drones within four hours. The ministry added that “two were downed near Moscow,” while the rest fell across central and southern parts of Russia.

Strike Comes After Russia’s Massive Aerial Assault

This Ukrainian attack followed one of Russia’s largest air raids of the war. A week earlier, Moscow launched 367 drones and missiles on Ukrainian cities. While Ukrainian forces intercepted 266 drones and 45 missiles, the strikes still caused serious damage to homes and infrastructure.

Earlier that day, Russia had claimed it destroyed around 100 Ukrainian drones, including some aimed at Moscow.

U.S. Urges Russia to Accept Ceasefire Proposal

Amid the escalation, the United States pushed for a complete ceasefire. At the UN Security Council, the U.S. said that “Russia’s best possible outcome” would be to stop the fighting and accept a 30-day truce. The deal, already agreed to by Ukraine, calls for a pause in all attacks — by air, land, and sea — and the protection of critical infrastructure.