The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has carried out a successful operation to destroy a Tu-95 strategic bomber at the Engels military airfield in the Saratov region of Russia. This marks one of the most significant strikes against Russian military potential since the start of the full-scale invasion.
Destruction of the strategic bomber
According to Serhiy Bratchuk, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Volunteer Army, who appeared on the FREEDOM TV channel on July 18, the aircraft sustained critical damage: its tail section was completely severed. The aircraft had been used to launch mass strikes against Ukrainian territory, including attacks on the southern regions of the country, specifically Odessa and the Odessa region.
"This bomber is a serious machine. I want to note that these bombers, there were four of them, flew out of Engels one night and launched cruise missile and air weapon strikes on the south of our country. They returned to their base, but one will never take off again," emphasized Bratchuk.
Damage to airfield infrastructure
The strikes targeted not only the aircraft itself but also the supporting infrastructure of the airfield. According to a source, a substation was damaged, without which the operation of the air base is impossible. "This is the destruction of airfield infrastructure without which these aircraft cannot function. They won't even be able to take off, it's obvious," added Bratchuk.
Difficulties in producing new bombers
Tu-95MS3 type aircraft are no longer being produced in Russia. Meanwhile, the production of more modern models, such as the Tu-160, is proceeding with difficulty and lacks the intensity necessary to replace losses. "There are still these bombers in Russia. However, they are struggling to produce Tu-160s; the intensity is not what the Russians would like," noted the UVA spokesperson.
Systematic destruction of tactical aviation
The destruction of the Tu-95 is part of a broader strategy to systematically destroy Russian tactical aviation. A few days ago, a Su-24M bomber was shot down in temporarily occupied Crimea. Such strikes directly affect Russia's ability to launch attacks on Ukrainian regions.
"This is what we can realistically oppose the enemy with today — the work of our drones. There is no longer any doubt about the headline in one of the Israeli media outlets stating that Ukraine is a drone superpower. The results are visible," stated Bratchuk.
Strikes on logistical facilities
In addition to aviation equipment, Ukrainian forces continue to strike enemy logistical facilities. In the Moscow region, warehouses of a logistics hub are actively burning, which, according to a source, cannot be restored. "Military logistics in the Moscow region is also being destroyed, where warehouses of a logistics hub are actively burning. This facility definitely cannot be restored," concluded the UVA spokesperson.
Statement by the President of Ukraine
On Friday, July 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy officially confirmed the successful long-range SBU operation, resulting in the destruction of a Tu-95 strategic bomber. This serves as an important signal of the Ukrainian forces' ability to deliver precision strikes on key objects of Russian military infrastructure.
