Ukrainian forces executed a major drone strike on Russian airfields, destroying 40 aircraft in an operation that took over a year to prepare. The attack, led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, targeted key Russian military assets, including the Tupolev Tu-95 and Tu-22M long-range bombers, which have been used to launch missiles against Ukraine. The operation involved the transportation of drones in containers carried by trucks deep into Russian territory. According to official sources, the drones reportedly struck 41 aircraft stationed at several airfields on Sunday afternoon, including A-50, Tu-95, and Tu-22M aircraft. Moscow has previously used these Tu-95 and Tu-22M bombers to conduct missile strikes on Ukrainian territory, while A-50 aircraft are used for target coordination and detecting air defense systems. The strike comes just days before Ukrainian and Russian officials are set to meet for a second round of ceasefire talks in Istanbul, Turkey. The White House informed Fox News that President Donald Trump and his administration were not alerted to the attack in advance. Ukraine has stated that President Zelenskyy personally oversaw the planning and execution of the drone strike. In a statement, Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to protecting its independence, sovereignty, and people. In addition to the air strikes, a series of explosions also targeted bridges near the Ukraine-Russia border on Saturday. While Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for these attacks, Russian investigators reported that a highway bridge over a railway in the Bryansk region was destroyed at 10:50 pm (1950 GMT) on Saturday night, as a passenger train carrying 388 passengers to Moscow was passing underneath. A railway bridge over a highway in the neighboring Kursk region was also blown up just four hours later, causing parts of a freight train to fall onto the road. These incidents have raised concerns across the globe, with the White House emphasizing that its administration was not informed of the drone strike. The attacks have further escalated tensions between the two nations as both continue to engage in military confrontations. Meanwhile, the situation remains tense as the two countries prepare for their next round of ceasefire negotiations. The impact of these attacks highlights the ongoing instability in the region and the significant risks involved in such military conflicts.