Russia will take years to replace nuclear-capable bomber planes that were hit in Ukrainian drone strikes last weekend, according to Western military aviation experts, straining a modernisation programme that is already delayed.

Ukraine said its “Operation Spiderweb” attacked Russian warplanes worth hundreds of millions of dollars, utilizing drones that each cost under $1,000 and were launched from wooden containers carried on trucks.

The Russian attacks come after President Donald Trump likened the two sides to children on a playground who needed “to fight for a while.”