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For 18 months, Ukraine’s internal security service planned an audacious assault on far-flung Russian airfields – first sneaking drones into Russia, then planting them near key military runways.

On Sunday, just ahead of a new round of peace talks, it was go-time. Near five unsuspecting Russian military bases, remotely activated roofs lifted off mobile homes and sheds parked on flatbed trucks. Armed Ukrainian drones tucked inside soared upwards, then pounced on military aircraft lined up on the runways, engulfing many in flames.

The brazen attack – which Ukrainian officials claimed destroyed at least 13 Russian aircraft and damaged dozens of others – shocked Russia and instantly reduced its capabilities to threaten a nuclear attack or launch missile strikes on Ukraine and other countries.

Satellite image analysis showed destroyed and damaged aircraft at Belaya air base in Russia.Credit: Chris Biggers / Janes

It also served as a crucial reminder to Moscow and Ukraine’s Western partners that Kyiv remains capable of exploiting Russia’s weaknesses and disrupting its war plans, despite being outnumbered and outgunned.

Ukraine said the damaged or destroyed aircraft, some of which were nuclear-capable, included A-50, Tu-95, Tu-22 M3 and Tu-160 models – planes Kyiv said Russia had used nearly every night to bomb Ukraine.

Many details of how the attack was planned are not public, and it was not immediately clear how many of the Russian planes were operational at the time they were targeted.

But the swift, angry reactions in Russia confirmed that Ukraine had exploited, to devastating effect, an obvious vulnerability: essential and expensive aircraft left out in the open but believed safe because they were deep inside the country. The operation also marked the latest example of drone technology redefining modern warfare.

Russia and Ukraine met for a brief second round of direct talks in Istanbul on Monday, agreeing to swap dead and captured soldiers, but otherwise, there was no significant progress towards ending the gruelling war or even agreeing to a ceasefire.

Western analysts said Ukraine’s deep strikes would hinder Russia’s ability to launch cruise missiles into Ukraine and could force Russian commanders to shift significant resources to better protect aviation assets. But the analysts cautioned the strikes were unlikely to significantly alter the course of the war, as Moscow still has enough aircraft to continue bombing Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.

Video footage and reactions published on social media showed that in Russia, the drone strikes stirred panic, confusion and then, from pro-war commentators, rage.........

© Brisbane Times