The drone strikes on Russian air force bases weaken Moscow’s ability to wage war on its neighbor and undermine its capacity to threaten more distant rivals.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Defense Minister Rustem Umerov would sit down with Russian officials at the second round of peace talks on Monday.

Ukrainian forces have destroyed dozens of Russian warplanes parked at airfields thousands of miles from the front lines, according to a source in the country’s security services, in one of Kyiv’s most audacious and sophisticated counter assaults since the beginning of the war.

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) carried out an unprecedented attack on military airfields in regions across Russia. The operation reportedly involved smuggling drones into the country and then launching them from trucks parked along highways.

By making harsh, uncompromising demands in peace talks with Ukraine while continuing to pummel it with waves of missiles and drones, Russian President Vladimir Putin is sending a clear message: He will only accept a settlement on his terms and will keep fighting until they’re met.

With 41 military aircraft impacted, the Ukrainian drone attack was described by some commentators as Russia's "Pearl Harbor." The attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 was a surprise air raid by Japan on the U.S. during World War II. Kyiv's assault follows ground advances by Moscow troops in recent days in Ukraine's Sumy border region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday praised Ukraine's Security Service for "brilliant operation" aimed at "military targets" on Russian territory.

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