Ukraine updates: Russian planes on fire after drone strikes

Moscow said "several aircraft" caught fire as Ukraine claims its drone strikes have caused billions of dollars of damage. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a team would go to Istanbul for peace talks. DW has more. Russia confirmed airfields in five regions were hit by Ukraine drones Ukraine's domestic intelligence agency claims responsibility for the strikes it says caused $7 billion (€6.17 billion) of damage News agencies cited a Ukrainian security official as saying 41 planes were destroyed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his defense minister will lead Ukraine's delegation at Istanbul peace talks This blog is now closed. Below you can the main developments regarding Russia's war in Ukraine from Sunday, June 1, 2025: Lavrov and Rubio speak on telephone ahead of Istanbul peace talks Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to each other about the new round of peace talks due to take place in Istanbul on Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "The situation linked to the Ukraine crisis was discussed," the ministry said. Lavrov and Rubio "also exchanged views on various initiatives concerning a settlement of the Ukraine crisis, including plans to resume direct Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul on June 2." The ministry also said that Rubio expressed condolences over deaths that occurred when two bridges were blown up in separate Russian regions bordering Ukraine. The US State Department said Rubio reiterated US President Donald Trump's call for continued direct talks between Russia and Ukraine to achieve "a lasting peace." Zelenskyy says attacks on Russian airfields was 'a brilliant result' Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed a surprise attack on a number of Russian airfields by his intelligence service, the SBU. "An absolutely brilliant result. A result achieved solely by Ukraine. One year, six months, and nine days from the start of planning to effective execution," Zelenskyy said in a post on X. "Our people involved in preparing the operation were withdrawn from Russian territory in time," Zelenskyy went on to say. The Ukrainian leader ended his post bv saying, "Russia started this war, Russia must end it." Russian military airfields were struck by drones in a coordinated action, with claims that over 40 combat and reconnaissance aircraft were destroyed. Russia’s Defense Ministry described the strikes as "terrorist attacks" in the regions of Ivanovo, Ryazan, Amur, Murmansk and Irkutsk. Ukrainian commander resigns after soldiers killed in Russian strikes Kyiv reported a record breaking number of Russian missile and drone attacks on Sunday, saying Russia launched 472 drones and seven missiles overnight. Ukraine admitted a Russian missile hit "the location of one of the training units," killing at least 12 Ukrainian troops and wounding over 60 others. Most of the soldiers who lost their lives are said to have been in shelters during the attack. Ukrainian ground forces commander Mykhailo Drapaty resigned following the incident, saying he felt "responsibility" for the deaths. Russia confirms Ukrainian strikes at 5 airfields Russia's Defense Ministry said Ukraine had launched drone strikes targeting airfields across five regions. "In the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions, the launch of FPV drones from an area in close proximity to airfields resulted in several aircraft catching fire," the ministry said. Russia said most of the attacks were repelled. Ukraine's SBU intelligence agency said it was behind the attacks on Russian planes which it said caused $7 billion (€6.17 billion) in damage. "This is the estimated cost of the enemy's strategic aviation, which was hit today as a result of the SBU's special operation," they said in an online post. Russia says at least two bridges collapsed in regions close to Ukraine A passenger train derailed following a bridge blast in Bryansk region, with at least seven dead and scores injured, Russian authorities said. A freight train also derailed hours later following another bridge collapse in Kursk, with no casualties reported. Russian officials said both bridges were blown up, with its investigators classifying the incidents as "acts of terrorism." Read our full report here. Welcome to our coverage There are unconfirmed reports this Sunday that a Ukrainian drone strike has destroyed more than 40 Russian aircraft. Ukraine's domestic intelligence service is claiming responsbility for the attacks, saying they caused billions of dollars in damages. Meanwhile, Moscow said drone strikes caused "several aircraft" to catch fire. Also, a senior Ukrainian military commander quit on Sunday after a Russian attack overnight killed a dozen soldiers on training. The hostilities come on the eve of a fresh push for peace negotiations in Istanbul, with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying his defense minister will be leading the delegation. DW will provide the latest news, analysis, and insights from our reporters and correspondents regarding Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.