Ukraine says it has hit more than 40 Russian strategic bombers

Euronews

01-06-2025

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I led a liturgy in Istanbul on Sunday, marking the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity's first ecumenical council.
The first Council of Nicaea (located in modern-day Turkey, in the ciy of İznik) took place in 325 AD and the date remains important to Orthodox-Catholic relations.
It saw Roman Emperor Constantine I bring together some 300 bishops, according to the Catholic Almanac.
Among the outcomes was the Nicene Creed, a profession of faith that is still recited by Christians today and required of those undertaking important functions within the Orthodox, as well as the Catholic and Lutheran Churches.
As Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I is "primus inter pares" (first among equals) among the patriarchs of the Eastern Orthodox Church and is its spiritual leader.
Bartholomew, who is known for his ecumenical as well as humanitarian and ecological efforts, had met with Pope Leo XIV earlier this week for the first time.
An operation by Ukraine's Security Service on Sunday hit 41 strategic bombers that were lined up at four airfields inside Russia.
An official with the security service (SBU) said: 'enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia', adding that Ukraine is conducting 'a large scale special operation aimed at destroying enemy bomber aircraft.'
The operation, dubbed "Spiderweb" (Pavutyna), targeted four airfields: Dyagilevo in Riazan region, Ivanovo in Ivanovo region, Belaya air base in Russia's Irkutsk region, which is located in south-eastern Siberia over 4,000km east of the frontline, and Olenya air base in Russia's Murmansk region, around 2,000km away from Ukraine's border.
The operation included the clandestine smuggling of drones deep into Russian territory, hiding them and finally launching them remotely.
In March, Ukraine announced it had developed a new type of drone that can reach a range of up to 3,000 kilometres, but gave no details about its type or the size of its warhead.
Recent satellite images show various Russian strategic bombers at the four bases that were allegedly hit during the operation, including Tu-95, Tu-22M3, Tu-160 and A-50.
Tu-95, Tu-22 and Tu-160 are Russian heavy bombers regularly used by Moscow to launch missiles at Ukraine.
The Tu-22M3 is capable of carrying Kh-22 and Kh-32 cruise missiles, travelling at a speed of 4,000 km/h, exceeding Mach 4.
Tu-95 - the oldest among them - it is a Soviet-era plane, originally used to carry nuclear bombs but since modified to launch cruise missiles.
A-50 is radar detection aircraft, which can detect air defense systems, guided missiles, and coordinate targets for Russian fighter jets.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier said he was meeting with the Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs, as well as the General Staff and SBU.
"We are doing everything to protect our independence, our state, and our people," Zelenskyy said, adding that would be outlining "tasks for the near term" and "define our positions ahead of the meeting in Istanbul on Monday."
Ukrainian and Russian officials are schedule to meet in Istanbul on Monday 2 June for the second round of talks between the two sides.
Zelenskyy said Kyiv's utmost priority is unconditional ceasefire, followed by the release of prisoners and the return of Ukrainian children that were forcefully deported by Russia.
Violence has struck again on the Costa del Sol. Two men died on Saturday night in the seaside town of Fuengirola, a popular tourist destination, after being shot by several hooded individuals who got out of a vehicle and opened fire on a group of people in a beachfront bar.
The incident took place near number 106 of the Rey de España promenade, close to the Martín Playa beach bar. Police sources suggest that the attack could be related to a possible settling of scores linked to drug trafficking, although other lines of investigation have not been ruled out, according to local newspaper 'Málaga Hoy'.
This new episode adds to a worrying string of violent incidents on the Costa del Sol so far this year. Although the authorities have pointed out that there is no direct connection between the incidents, the frequency of shootings and murders in the area has caused alarm among locals and visitors alike.
In early May, three men were arrested following the sixth shooting in Malaga in just three weeks. Just a few days later, another shooting occurred in the province, bringing the total to seven shootings in just 45 days.