Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said tonight that 117 drones were used in the attack on Russian military aircraft.
"A total of 117 drones were used in that operation. And a corresponding number of drone operators were working," Zelensky said, adding that one of the locations in Russia where the attack was planned was "right next to the office" of the Russian security service (FSB).
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) said a large-scale attack on military airfields in Russia caused $7 billion in damage to aviation.
"Seven billion US dollars. This is the estimated damage to the enemy's strategic aviation, which was hit today as a result of the special operation 'Spider's Web' conducted by the SBU," the statement broadcast on Telegram said.
It added that 34 percent of the aircraft carrying strategic cruise missiles were hit.
Agence France-Presse writes that this information cannot be verified from independent sources.
A Kiev security official claimed today that Ukraine had shot down more than 40 Russian warplanes. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that Ukraine had carried out drone attacks on Russian military airfields in five regions, but said only a few planes had caught fire.
Zelensky confirmed that today's action had been planned for more than a year and a half.
He announced that the head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Vasyl Malyuk, had submitted a report to him on today's operation.
"Absolutely brilliant result. A result achieved exclusively by Ukraine. One year, six months and nine days from the start of planning to successful implementation. Our longest-term operation to date. Our people who were involved in preparing the operation were withdrawn from the territory of Russia on time," Zelensky wrote on Iks.
He says he thanked the general for "this success for Ukraine."
"I have instructed the Security Service of Ukraine to inform the public about those details and results of the operation that can be revealed. Of course, it is not possible to reveal everything at this time, but these are Ukrainian actions that will undoubtedly enter history textbooks. Ukraine is defending itself, and rightly so — we are doing everything to make Russia feel the need to end this war. Russia started this war, Russia must end it. Glory to Ukraine," Zelensky said.
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