Tue Jun 03 00:00:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summary of the provided text, focusing on the key events and their potential implications:

**Headline: Ukraine Launches Daring Drone Strikes Deep Inside Russia, Claims Heavy Damage Ahead of Peace Talks**

**Istanbul/Kyiv -** On the eve of planned peace talks in Istanbul, Ukraine launched its largest drone attack to date inside Russia on Sunday, targeting at least four military airports across multiple regions. Ukrainian sources claim to have “destroyed” over 40 Russian warplanes, including strategic bombers, inflicting an estimated $7 billion in damages. While these claims remain unconfirmed, Russia’s Ministry of Defence acknowledged attacks on five regions, stating that aircraft at two bases caught fire, although the fires were extinguished, and there were no casualties.

The attacks targeted airbases as far as 4,300 km from the Ukrainian border, demonstrating a growing Ukrainian capability to strike deep into Russian territory using innovative drone tactics. Ukrainian officials claim FPV drones were secretly transported into Russia and launched from near the target areas.

The audacity of the strikes has been lauded by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who called it a “brilliant result” following a Russian strike that killed Ukrainian soldiers. However, the attacks also raise questions about Russian intelligence failures and could intensify pressure on President Vladimir Putin to retaliate. Some Russian commentators are calling the attacks “Russia’s Pearl Harbour,” demanding a strong response.

The attacks come as Russian forces continue to make incremental gains on the ground in Ukraine, launching a Spring offensive. Despite battlefield vulnerabilities, Kyiv remains defiant.

The timing of the strikes, ahead of peace talks mediated by Turkiye, could complicate the diplomatic process. The potential impact on U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the war also remains to be seen. While he previously criticized Putin’s aggression in Ukraine, this new escalation is sure to raise tensions even further.

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