---
title: "Strike deep into Russia: Zelenskyy reports the destruction of a Tu-95 strategic bomber in Engels"
description: "Zelenskyy confirmed the destruction of a Tu-95 strategic bomber in Engels by the SBU. The aircraft was used for strikes against Ukraine. On the same night, drones attacked Crimea, and maritime UAVs sank 12 shadow fleet ships within 24 hours. 🇺🇦🚀🔥"
date: 2026-07-17T11:08:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/strike-deep-into-russia-zelenskyy-reports-the-destruction-of-a-tu-95-strategic-bomber-in-engels
tags: [volodymyr-zelenskyy, engels, tu-95, sbu, ukraine-defense-forces]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Strike deep into Russia: Zelenskyy reports the destruction of a Tu-95 strategic bomber in Engels

![Strategic bomber Tu-95 in flight: the aircraft reported by Zelensky to be destroyed in Engels](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/17/zelenyy-soobshchil-ob-unichtozhenii-tu-95-v-engelse/zelenyy-soobshchil-ob-unichtozhenii-tu-95-v-engelse-1.webp)

Ukraine's security forces have struck a strategic object of Russia's military infrastructure. As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported, a Tu-95 strategic bomber was destroyed at the airfield in Engels. According to the head of state, this aircraft was directly used to launch missile strikes against Ukrainian cities.

### Operation at a depth of 800 kilometers

In his statement, Zelenskyy emphasized the scale and complexity of the operation. The airfield in Engels is located about 800 kilometers from Ukraine's state border. The destruction of the aircraft was carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

"Specifically, the SBU destroyed a Tu-95 military aircraft in Engels, which was used for Russian missile strikes against our country," RBC-Ukraine quotes the President's statement. The head of state noted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are acting justly and continue to actively defend the country's sovereignty by launching retaliatory strikes against the enemy's military targets.

### Massive attacks in the south and in Crimea

The strike on Engels was part of a large-scale wave of attacks carried out by Ukraine's Defense Forces on the night of July 17. On the same day, facilities on occupied territories and in Crimea were attacked. Drones struck several key points on the peninsula.

A major fire broke out at the railway station in Kerch. Explosions were also recorded in Simferopol, Feodosia, and Yevpatoria. These incidents indicate the continuation of the active phase of Kyiv's long-range operations against the enemy's logistical and military hubs.

### Results of the operation against the shadow fleet

Parallel to air and ground operations, Ukrainian forces achieved significant successes at sea. News emerged regarding the results of the "MoLoChKa" operation, aimed at Russia's shadow fleet, which is used to bypass sanctions and transport cargo.

Over the 12 days of the operation, Ukrainian maritime drones struck 159 vessels. The most intense phase occurred in the last 24 hours: 12 ships were destroyed in just one day. These figures confirm the effectiveness of using unmanned systems in the maritime sector and the ability of Ukrainian forces to strike critically important targets deep in the enemy's rear.