Zelenskyy shares details of drone strike on Russian airfields

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has revealed that Russian truck drivers unknowingly played a role in Ukraine’s recent large-scale drone strike on Russian military airfields. 

The surprise attack, which took place a week ago, damaged over 40 Russian bombers—approximately a third of the country’s strategic bomber fleet, according to Ukrainian officials.

In an exclusive interview with ABC News’ Martha Raddatz, airing on This Week with George Stephanopoulos, Zelenskyy said the drone systems were concealed in mobile homes with retractable roofs, which were transported on Russian trucks before being remotely activated, Caliber.Az reports. 

“They didn’t know anything,” Zelenskyy said of the drivers. “They just did their job.”

Citing a source familiar with the operation, ABC News reported that the drones were hidden in what appeared to be ordinary mobile houses. These structures, equipped with retractable roofs, were secretly packed with drones and transported to strategic locations using the unsuspecting drivers.

Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine’s intelligence services relied solely on domestically produced equipment for the operation.

“I wanted very much to use only what we produce and to have the separation [be] very clear,” he told Raddatz.

The strike marks one of Ukraine’s most significant attacks on Russian military infrastructure to date, inflicting damage reportedly worth billions of dollars.

By Sabina Mammadli