Ukraine has conducted strikes on four key Russian air bases, including Olenya and Belgorod, utilizing state-of-the-art drones. These bases are situated significantly within Russian borders, far from the Russia-Ukraine boundary. According to Ukrainian media reports, this marks the largest drone attack executed by Ukraine to date. The targeted bases were specifically known for launching aerial assaults on Ukrainian territory.
Ukraine claims their drone offensive destroyed over 40 Russian bombers on bases far inside Russia. These bombers are the same aircraft frequently seen soaring over Ukrainian skies, unleashing their powerful payloads. The targeted bases include Olenya in Murmansk, Belgorod in Irkutsk, Ivanovo Air Base in Ivanovo, and Dyagilevo Air Base.
A spokesperson from the Ukrainian security service (SBU) confirmed their drones penetrated deep into Russian territory, damaging formidable bombers like the Tu-95 and Tu-22, alongside the expensive and rare A-50 reconnaissance planes. Reports confirmed the attack on Belgorod Air Base, located in Irkutsk's remote regions, and suggested fires at Olenya Air Base, though these remain unsubstantiated officially.
These aircraft are critically significant to Russia. The Tu-95, a relic from the 1950s, despite its age, is still capable of carrying multiple cruise missiles poised to strike remote cities. Its distinctive rotating propellers enable it to cover vast distances.
The Tu-22 is a swift aircraft specifically designed to convey missiles, posing a significant challenge for Ukraine to intercept without advanced American or European defense systems. Additionally, the A-50 remains a precious and limited reconnaissance asset within Russia's fleet, with barely ten units available, each valued at approximately 350 million dollars.
The Tu-160, crafted in the 1980s and regarded as the world's largest bomber, still holds the status of the most formidable aircraft within Russia's air force. It possesses the capability to carry numerous potent missiles. Ukraine cited these aircraft as consistent threats, regularly bombing Ukrainian cities nearly each night. Through this massive drone assault, Ukraine aspires to diminish such devastating air raids.
While there has been no official acknowledgment of the attack from Russia or other nations, and some details may evolve, if confirmed, this would be Ukraine's most significant strike on Russian air power so far. Ukraine has vowed that its drones will continue to soar and that counteractions will not cease.
