Recent satellite imagery reveals significant damage at a Russian air base located in eastern Siberia, marking one of the boldest covert operations by Ukraine during the conflict. The images, captured by Planet Labs PBC, depict the aftermath of a Ukrainian drone strike that reportedly targeted this key military site. At least seven bombers, specifically three Tu-95 strategic bombers and four Tu-22M supersonic bombers, are seen destroyed on the tarmac of Belaya Air Base. These aircraft were positioned alongside a runway, surrounded by open grassland, with other aircraft at the base remaining untouched.
Ukraine claims the daring operation resulted in the destruction or damage of 41 Russian military aircraft, including various strategic bombers and combat airplanes. The assault, which was allegedly planned over the course of 18 months, aimed to significantly weaken Russia’s air power and tarnish its military reputation.
The Russian Defense Ministry acknowledged that several aircraft caught fire following strikes on air bases in both the Irkutsk and Murmansk regions. However, they stated that the fires were successfully extinguished. The ministry also reported that attempts by Ukraine to attack air bases further to the west, as well as one in Russia’s Far East Amur region, were thwarted.
President Vladimir Putin of Russia has yet to make a public statement regarding the incident. The Tu-95 bombers, designed in the 1950s as a response to the U.S. B-52, have the capability to execute intercontinental missions. Meanwhile, the Tu-22M aircraft are capable of supersonic speeds and boast a sweep-wing design. These heavy bombers have been key assets in Russia’s military operations throughout the course of the ongoing conflict, which erupted in February 2022, facilitating numerous cruise missile attacks across Ukraine.
Historically, long-range bombers have been a crucial component of both the Soviet and Russian nuclear deterrence strategies. These aircraft, along with land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear-powered submarines, form what is known as the nuclear triad. Regular patrol missions by these strategic bombers have been conducted to project Moscow’s nuclear strength globally.