Ukraine struck deep behind enemy lines to wipe out four high-tech Russian helicopters on the eve of crucial ceasefire talks.

Missile strikes exploded four military helicopters worth £68 million in the Belgorod region.

The attack comes as U.S. and Russian negotiators meet in Saudi Arabia to try to agree on terms for a ceasefire in Ukraine.

These talks follow U.S.-Ukrainian negotiations on Sunday, with discussions focusing on a partial ceasefire to halt attacks on energy infrastructure.

Kyiv’s military intelligence agency GUR said two Mi-8 helicopters and a pair of Ka-52s were destroyed overnight.

The four copters were sitting behind enemy lines when they were hit.

Ka52s, called Alligators, are attack helicopters while Mi-8 helicopters are used for transporting troops or equipment.

The GUR said in a statment: ‘All helicopters were destroyed by missile strikes in the enemy’s rear.

‘The enemy had created a jumping-off point for aircraft – a camouflaged position for rapid movement of aircraft or for surprise attacks on the Security and Defence Forces of Ukraine.

‘The enemy once again thought that deep in the rear he was unattainable.

‘We once again proved that for the Special Operations Forces there is nothing unattainable.’

The major attack took place as the Russian negotiating team is expected to meet with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia.

U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing for a peace deal to end the 1,124 day conflict.

Negotiations are focusing now on a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea to allow the free flow of shipping.

A deal struck in July 2022 allowed the safe export of nearly 33 million metric tons of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, but Putin withdrew from the agreement in 2023.

A talks could also open a path for Ukrainian children taken by Russia to be returned, White House national security adviser Mike Waltz told CBS ‘Face the Nation’ on Sunday.

They will also look at agreeing ‘the line of control’ between the two countries.

White House national security adviser Mike Waltz told CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday described this as ‘verification measures, peacekeeping, freezing the lines where they are.’

The U.S. is being represented by officials Andrew Peek and Michael Anton, while Grigory Karasin and Sergei Beseda are there on behalf Russia.

Last week Tuesday, Trump and Putin reportedly brokered a deal for Russia to stop striking crucial Ukrainian infrastructure for 30 days – which Putin promptly broke the next morning.

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