In one of the most daring covert operations conducted by Ukraine, several Russian strategic bombers including four Tu-95 and two Tu-22, were destroyed when drones launched from trucks placed outside the bases struck at aircraft inside.
The trucks are reportedly blown up after the launch of the FPV drones to destroy evidence.
Among the bases that came under attacks are the Olenya air base in the Murmansk region, which is located almost 1,800 km from the border with Ukraine. Other air bases attacked are the Belaya, Ivanovo, Ukrainka, and Diaghilev airfields.
Belaya air base in the Irkutsk region, is home to the 326th Heavy Bomber Aviation Division of the Tarnopol Division, which is part of the 37th Air Army.
Local residents have posted numerous videos showing FPV drones attacking strategic airfields. Multiple explosions can be heard from the airbases and smoke from heavy fires can be seen.
Russian MoD admits attacks, loss of bombers
"Today, the Kyiv regime committed a terrorist attack using FPV drones against airfields in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan and Amur regions," The Russian MoD said late on Sunday.
"In the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions, as a result of the launch of FPV drones from the territory located in the immediate vicinity of the airfields, several units of aircraft caught fire," the Russian Defense Ministry reported.
Fires at Russian military airfields following a Ukrainian attack involving FPV drones have been extinguished and some of its participants have been detained, the MoD said.
A third of Russia's strategic bomber fleet destoryed
Ukrainian sources say 13 strategic bombers were completely destroyed while some more were partly burnt.
They estimate that a third of Russia's bomber fleet has been wrecked causing a loss of over 7 billion.