Ukraine destroys first strategic Russian bomber

With a drone attack on an airfield in Russia's Novgorod oblast, Ukraine was able to destroy a strategic nuclear bomber of the Russian armed forces for the first time, Rubryka reports, referring to The Moscow Times.

"At least one plane was damaged yesterday (August 19 – ed.), the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported. A photo of the Novgorod region's military airfield "Soltsi" after a drone strike may have appeared on the network. The photo shows a completely burnt Tu-22M3," the report says.

The publication says that Russia no longer has an engineering and technical base for the new construction of strategic bombers.

The Moscow Times, citing its sources, reports that the issue of sabotage was previously discussed at meetings between Russian President Vladimir Putin and security forces.

"They 'swore' that this would not happen again, but no one could give a 100% guarantee," the newspaper says.

Journalists estimated that "thanks to Ukrainian sabotage and attacks," more than ten Russian planes and helicopters at air bases in Ryazan, Engels, Novosibirsk, Pskov regions, Belarus, and occupied Crimea have already been destroyed or damaged.

Background

The Tu-22M is a long-range missile bomber that can also carry nuclear weapons. They were produced in the Russian Federation from 1978-1993 but are still used today. The Tu-22M2 modification was withdrawn from service in the mid-90s.On the morning of August 19, the Ukrainian Defense Forces attacked a military airfield in the Novgorod oblast of the Russian Federation with drones. At least one plane was damaged.

The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed a drone attack on Soltsi airfield but reported only one damaged aircraft. Local media said two bombers were damaged.