Ukraine’s Long-Range Drone Strike: Impact on Russian Strategic Bomber
Satellite imagery has validated Kyiv’s claim of a successful drone attack on a Russian Tupolev Tu-95 strategic bomber. The bomber, vital for long-range strikes within Ukraine, was targeted in a recent operation backed by Ukraine.
Drone Strike Details
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced their long-distance drones traveled approximately 500 miles to hit the Engels-2 military base in Russia’s Saratov region during the night of July 15-16. Images from Planet Labs dated July 19 support this claim, showing a severely damaged tail of the bomber.
The satellite imagery, shared by the AviVector account, highlights that the tail section was completely destroyed. The SBU emphasized the strike demonstrated Russia’s strategic aviation is no longer secure even at far-off military airfields. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the operation as a significant long-range action against Russia, referring to it as a ‘long-range sanction.’
Tu-95’s Strategic Importance
The Tu-95, a Soviet-era aircraft, is a critical component of Russia’s strategic forces, capable of carrying six cruise missiles. It has a range of 8,000 miles with an approximate cost of $26 million per aircraft.
As per estimates in 2023, Russia maintains 45 Tu-95MS bombers and 18 modernized Tu-95MSM aircraft. The bombing of this plane translates to a permanent loss in Russia’s strike capabilities, reducing the operational fleet to between 27 and 34 aircraft.
The SBU remarked, “Every strategic bomber eliminated means fewer missiles launched at Ukrainian cities, preserving lives and causing significant financial loss to Russia.”
Further Ukrainian Strikes
Recent days have seen Ukraine increasing assaults on Russian sites. Drone attacks targeted logistics centers of Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries, in locations like St. Petersburg and Tver, and occupied Crimea.
Videos on social media showed thick black smoke at a logistics area near a Wildberries facility in St. Petersburg. Another attack occurred at a separate facility in the Shushary district, showing similar conditions.
This surge in attacks accompanies revelations by General Dan Caine, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, that a Ukrainian F-16 jet recently downed a Russian jet, marking a significant event in airborne combat.