Ukraine's Massive Operation Delivers $7 Billion Blow to Russian Aircraft

What Happened?

Ukrainian officials say they've successfully conducted their biggest long-range attack against Russia on Sunday after managing to smuggle 117 drones at four perimeter air bases.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the drones were used in the 'Spiderweb' operation by The Security Service of Ukraine.

The year-and-a-half coordinated attack reportedly struck 34%, or roughly 40, of Russia's strategic cruise missile carriers.

At least 13 Russian aircraft were destroyed while others were damaged.

One of the perimeter air bases happened to be 2,500 miles deep from Ukraine's borders inside Siberia, officials said.

Ukraine's security service (SBU) estimates the cost to the Kremlin at $7 billion.

Russian officials have reportedly claimed the Ukrainian attacks in five regions as a 'terrorist act.'

President Donald Trump was not reportedly informed of Ukraine's latest planned operation.

Why it Matters

Following Sunday's attack, at least six people, including a 7-year-old child, were reportedly injured in a strike in Kharkiv early Monday.

It comes as Ukraine and Russia delegations ended their latest peace talks Monday in Turkey.

Zelenskyy told reporters that both sides 'exchanged documents through the Turkish side' and are preparing a new prisoner release exchange.

Both sides also agreed to swap 6,000 bodies of soldiers killed during the war, according to The Associated Press.

But expectations have remained low for an immediate ceasefire to end the 3-year-old conflict following several recent attacks.

The U.S. continues to grow frustrated in its efforts to broker a successful resolution that satisfies both sides.

Russia and the U.S. entered into a heated argument last week over launched attacks that have only intensified.

Ukrainian officials told reporters last week that Russia launched 355 drones and nine cruise missiles against Ukraine.

The Russian attack hit targets in five locations, marking one of the largest aerial attacks of the war on Ukraine.

Trump warned President Vladimir Putin in a Truth Social post that he was 'playing with fire' by refusing to engage in advanced ceasefire talks with Ukraine.

Russian officials suggested that Trump was not 'sufficiently informed' about what was really happening in the context of the Russia-Ukraine confrontation.

How it Affects You

Swarms of drones continue to get carried out from both countries as the Russian military has advanced along the front in Kyiv.

Although the U.S. has led confidence-building measures concluding peace talks in Turkey, Russia has shown no significant progress in advancing a ceasefire.

The U.S. is reportedly prepared to join the U.K. and Europe in issuing major sanctions against Russia to help achieve these peace efforts.

At least 82 other senators support Sen. Lindsey Graham's efforts to impose 500% tariffs on imports from countries purchasing Russian oil-related products.

Russia's next move could mark a pivot step in the U.S. decision to influence these sanctions.

It could also increase the risk of many fears of inciting a third world war.