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Ukraine Drones strike Deep Inside Russia, Impacting Strategic Bomber Fleet
A Bold Ukrainian drone attack has struck several Russian air bases, marking an unprecedented escalation in the conflict. The drone attack, reaching as far as Siberia, targeted Russian air bases that host nuclear-capable strategic bombers, delivering a significant blow to the Russian military.
Unprecedented Attack on Strategic assets
Ukraine claims that over 40 bombers, approximately a third of Russia’s strategic bomber fleet, were either damaged or destroyed. Moscow, however, acknowledges only that several planes were struck. Independent verification of these conflicting claims remains impossible, though social media footage shows some bombers sustaining damage.
This bold operation highlights Ukraine’s growing ability to strike high-value targets deep within Russia, dealing a humiliating blow to the Kremlin and inflicting ample losses on Moscow’s war machine.
Russia’s Bomber Assets Targeted
For decades, long-range bombers have formed a critical part of Russia’s nuclear triad, alongside land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear-powered submarines.These strategic bombers have regularly patrolled globally, showcasing Moscow’s nuclear capabilities. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Russia has utilized these heavy planes to launch waves of cruise missile strikes across the country.
Tupolev Tu-95 “Bear”
The Tupolev Tu-95, known as “Bear” by NATO, is a four-engine turboprop plane designed in the 1950s, rivalling the US B-52 bomber. With an intercontinental range, it carries eight long-range cruise missiles, capable of being equipped with conventional or nuclear warheads. Before the recent attack, Russia reportedly possessed around 60 of these aircraft.
Did you Know? The Tu-95 is one of the oldest military aircraft still in active service, with some models dating back to the Cold War era.
Tupolev Tu-22M “Backfire”
The Tupolev Tu-22M is a twin-engine supersonic bomber designed in the 1970s, known as “Backfire” by NATO. Although it has a shorter range than the Tu-95, during US-Soviet arms control talks in the 1970s, Washington insisted on including them in the Soviet strategic nuclear arsenal due to their capability to reach the US with in-flight refuelling.
The latest version, the Tu-22M3, carries Kh-22 cruise missiles that fly at over three times the speed of sound. Initially designed to strike US aircraft carriers, it carries a significant payload but its dated guidance system could lead to inaccuracies against ground targets. Prior to the recent strikes, Russia was estimated to have between 50 and 60 Tu-22M3s in service.
Impact on Russia’s Strategic Capabilities
The production of both the Tu-95 and Tu-22M ceased after the collapse of the USSR in 1991, meaning any losses cannot be replaced. Russia also possesses the supersonic Tu-160 strategic bomber, but fewer than 20 are in service, with modernized versions just beginning production.
Pro Tip: The inability to replace lost strategic bombers places significant strain on Russia’s long-term military planning and nuclear deterrence strategy.
According to Douglas Barrie of the International Institute of Strategic Studies, Russia lost a significant part of its heavy bomber fleet, “with no immediate ability to replace it.” This situation may accelerate Moscow’s development of a next-generation strategic bomber.
Loss of A-50 Early Warning Aircraft
In addition to bomber losses, Ukrainian officials reported that an A-50 early warning and control aircraft was hit. Similar to the US AWACS planes, the A-50 coordinates aerial attacks. With few such planes in service, any loss severely impacts Russia’s military capabilities.
Relocation and Protection Efforts
Following repeated Ukrainian strikes on the engels air base, the primary base for Russia’s nuclear-capable strategic bombers, Moscow relocated bombers to bases farther from the conflict zone. One such base was Olenya on the Arctic Kola Peninsula.
Other drones targeted the Belaya air base in the Irkutsk region, reportedly destroying several Tu-22M bombers. ukraine claims that 41 aircraft were damaged or destroyed in total.
The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed that the attack ignited several warplanes at air bases in the Irkutsk and Murmansk regions, but stated the fires were extinguished. They also claimed to have repelled attacks on two air bases in western Russia and another in the Amur region.
Russian military bloggers have criticized the Defence Ministry for failing to adequately protect the bombers following previous strikes.While constructing shelters for such large planes is challenging, the military has attempted some impromptu solutions.
Satellite
