Bucharest: In recent months, Russia’s Olenya airbase, situated just 200 kilometers from the Finnish and Norwegian borders, has been targeted by at least three Ukrainian drone attacks. These assaults have primarily aimed at bombers stationed at the base, which Russia uses to launch cruise missile strikes against Ukraine, according to reports from Defense Romania and WP.
Satellite Imagery Uncovers Unconventional Defense Strategies
In response to these repeated drone strikes, Russia has adopted a rather unconventional defense tactic—placing tires on its strategic bombers, particularly the Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3. Satellite imagery from Google Earth shows that up to 20 tires are strategically positioned across the wings of each Tu-95MS bomber, and in some cases, similar measures have been applied to the fuselage of Tu-22M3 bombers.
This seemingly makeshift solution appears aimed at mitigating damage from future drone attacks and potentially shielding the bombers from Ukrainian cruise missile strikes. However, the effectiveness of this approach remains questionable. Notably, similar tire placements were observed at Russia’s Engels airbase, where bombers were stationed to guard against Ukrainian Neptune cruise missiles.
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Critical Role of Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 Bombers in Russia’s Arsenal
The Tu-95MS “Bear” and Tu-22M3 “Backfire” are critical assets in Russia’s military, playing pivotal roles in both tactical and strategic operations. Despite their older designs, these bombers have been instrumental in Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
The Tu-95MS is particularly valued for its long-range capability, with a flight range exceeding 12,000 kilometers. This bomber can carry nuclear weapons and is typically armed with Kh-55 cruise missiles, enabling it to strike targets located thousands of kilometers away.
On the other hand, the Tu-22M3 is a versatile long-range bomber capable of deploying both conventional and nuclear bombs, as well as guided missiles with a range of up to 600 kilometers. Equipped with advanced navigation and radar systems, the Tu-22M3 is capable of conducting precision strikes on key land and sea targets under various combat conditions.
