Vladimir Putin poised to enact revenge on Ukraine and AXE Russian spymasters after devastating bombers strike

The FSB security service, led by Putin's close ally Alexander Bortnikov, 73, faces particular scrutiny over the intelligence failure, which led to 117 first-person view kamikaze drones carrying out the daring attack.

Civilian lorries were able to carry the disguised weapons 2,500 miles from Ukraine to strike five separate airfields stretching from northern Russia to Siberia.

Russian military sources acknowledged the scale of Sunday's devastation, with pro-Russian Telegram channel Fighterbomb describing the day as one that would "later be called a black day for Russian long-range aviation," while noting "the day is not over yet".

Following the heavy losses, Putin's Cold War-era UVB-76 "Doomsday Radio" burst into activity, transmitting coded messages as the system activated during worrisome moments of national danger.

The attack, known as Operation Spiderweb, saw Ukrainian special forces conceal the small flying weapons within specially modified wooden cabins featuring hidden roof compartments designed to evade detection.

These camouflaged cabins were loaded onto civilian trucks driven by hired local operators who remained unaware of their deadly cargo.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• Ukraine launches huge drone attack on Russia as Vladimir Putin suffers significant setback
• At least seven dead and dozens injured after two bridges collapse following explosion in Russia
• Vladimir Putin will attack Nato country if he wins in Ukraine, former CIA chief claims

Once the trucks reached their designated positions yesterday afternoon, Ukrainian operatives remotely opened the wooden cabin roofs to release the concealed drones.

The strikes specifically targeted Russia's most critical aviation assets, including nuclear-capable Tu-95 and Tu-22M strategic bombers that form the backbone of Moscow's long-range strike capability.

Ukrainian security sources confirmed the destruction of these high-value aircraft alongside the devastating loss of an A-50 'Mainstay' surveillance plane worth an estimated £250million.

Russia possesses only around ten operational A-50 aircraft, making this loss particularly significant.

Volodymr Zelensky said: "What's most interesting is that the 'office' of our operation on Russian territory was located directly next to FSB headquarters in one of their regions.

"In total, 117 drones were used in the operation, with a corresponding number of drone operators involved, and 34 per cent of the strategic cruise missile carriers stationed at air bases were hit. We will continue this work."

The attacks come despite Russian and Ukrainian delegates meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, for the next round of peace talks.

Ahead of the defence review, Sir Keir Starmer commented on the threat of Russia, stating that "we cannot ignore [it]. We've seen what's happened in Ukraine just over three years ago".