Russia Media Claims Alleged Suspect in Russian Airfield Drone Attack Fled to Kazakhstan Days Before Strike

According to Russian media, Ukrainian national Artem Timofeev, suspected of orchestrating a large-scale drone strike on Russian strategic bombers, left for Kazakhstan just four days before the attack, Orda.kz reports.

Timofeev is believed to have played a central role in organizing one of the most extensive drone strikes on Russian military airfields. Mash reports that the 37-year-old left Russia on May 28 with his wife, Ekaterina.

On the way, she posted a photo from their vehicle on her Telegram channel, writing that they were heading to Astana “with a dog and a cat.”

Russian outlets claim that the drones, launched on June 1 and targeting five regions — Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ryazan, Ivanovo, and Amur — were launched from trucks owned by Timofeev. Truck drivers allegedly told investigators they had received direct instructions from him.

Authorities in the Irkutsk region have placed Timofeev on the wanted list, suspecting him of involvement in the strike on the Belaya airfield. While some sources list him as a native of Donetsk, others say he was born in Zhytomyr and was registered in Kyiv until 2018.

He had been living in Miass, Chelyabinsk region, and held a Russian passport. In September 2024, he obtained a Russian driver’s license covering categories B, B1, and M.

Last year, Timofeev supposedly registered a cargo transport business and acquired several heavy-duty trucks. He also rented a warehouse in Chelyabinsk, reportedly used to assemble drones. The strike coincided with his ninth wedding anniversary, which he likely spent outside of Russia.

The Security Service of Ukraine described the incident as part of Operation Spider Web — a mission reportedly in the making for over a year and a half. According to Ukrainian estimates, the attack damaged 34% of Russia’s strategic aviation fleet, valued at over $7 billion. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed the damage was “minor.”

Other experts have reported that at least 10 aircraft were damaged or destroyed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the “operation office” was located “directly next to the FSB headquarters” in one of Russia’s regions.

Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry has denied allegations of the country’s involvement in Operation Spider Web, dismissing claims that drone components were supplied from Kazakhstan.

Orda.kz also spoke with Nartay Dutbayev, former head of Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee (KNB), which oversees the border service. Dutbayev also dismissed claims related to Kazakhstan.

Original Author: Ruslan Loginov