An unexpected drone assault by Ukraine on various Russian air bases has highlighted the country’s advanced military capabilities and delivered a significant blow to Russia’s strategic forces. The attack, which reached as far as Siberia and targeted bases housing nuclear-capable bombers, marks a substantial escalation in Ukraine’s efforts to undermine Russian military assets. According to Ukrainian sources, over 40 bombers, accounting for around one-third of Russia’s strategic bomber fleet, were either damaged or destroyed. However, Russian authorities reported that only a few aircraft were affected. These claims have yet to be independently confirmed, though videos on social platforms hint at damage to a couple of bombers.
This bold maneuver illustrates Ukraine’s newfound ability to strike important military targets deep within Russian territory, delivering a strategic and psychological blow to the Kremlin. Some military commentators in Russia compared the incident to the infamous Pearl Harbor attack by Japan in 1941, while others downplayed the analogy, citing lesser damage.
Russia’s long-range bomber forces have historically formed a crucial part of its nuclear arsenal, alongside intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear submarines. Throughout the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, these bombers have launched numerous cruise missile assaults. The Tupolev Tu-95, or ‘Bear’, a four-engine bomber designed back in the 1950s, and the Tupolev Tu-22M, or ‘Backfire’, a faster twin-engine bomber developed in the 1970s, represent the backbone of Russia’s strategic bomber fleet. The former has a significant global range and can deploy cruise missiles with nuclear or conventional warheads, while the latter, despite its shorter range, can pose a significant threat due to its supersonic speed and payload capacity. However, any losses from this attack may be irreversible, as production of these aircraft ceased after the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1991.
Additionally, the recent drone strikes reportedly involved the A-50 aircraft, Russia’s early warning and control plane, which plays a pivotal role in its air defense strategy. The loss of such aircraft could considerably impair Russia’s military coordination capabilities.
Following these attacks, Russia has begun relocating its vulnerable bomber fleet to bases further from Ukrainian reach, such as the airstrip at Olenya on the Arctic Kola Peninsula. Initial assessments indicate that several bombers there, as well as at the Belaya air base in Irkutsk, were targeted. Ukrainian officials assert that this operation had been planned for over a year, making use of drones concealed in containers transported by trucks.
The Russian Defense Ministry acknowledged that several planes at air bases in the Irkutsk and Murmansk regions caught fire, though these were subsequently extinguished. Also, they noted attempts by Ukraine to hit additional bases in western and far eastern Russia.
Internally, these daring attacks have sparked strong criticism from Russian military bloggers, who have accused the Defense Ministry of insufficient protection of vital assets. While efforts have been made to shield the aircraft, the solutions implemented so far, such as covering the planes with old tires, have been both resource-intensive and largely viewed as ineffective.
Overall, this incident underscores the evolving nature of the conflict and highlights the significant challenges Russia faces in safeguarding its critical military infrastructure.