Russian forces are using car tires to protect Tu-95 bombers from drone attacks

Russian forces are trying to protect Tu-95 strategic bombers with car tires at the Engels airfield in the Saratov region.

The aircraft is a carrier of deathly hypersonic missiles used to attack Ukrainian civilians. However, they are frequently prone to drone attacks.

Ukrainian military officer in reserves, nicknamed Tatarigami_UA, posts the relevant pictures on Twitter

Brace yourselves, because russians have once again showcased unparalleled innovation. What you are looking at is a satellite image featuring a TU-95 strategic bomber covered with car tires. According to them, this should protect strategic bombers from drones.

Most likely, in this way Russian forces attempt to protect the bombers from attacks by Ukrainian kamikaze drones.

This doesn't seem to be just a single occurrence. In this satellite imagery, it seems the russians are still in the process of fitting tires onto the bomber – a fresh, budget-friendly version of ERA substitute for the russian air force?

Judging by satellite images, the Russians cover the wing and the central part of the aircraft with tires.

Russia uses strategic aircraft Tu-95 to bombard Ukrainian cities with Kh-101 cruise missiles.

Engels Airfield is a military airbase in Russia, where strategic bombers Tu-160 and Tu-95MS are always deployed. This is one of Russia's largest and most important air bases, which is part of its nuclear triad. The airfield is located near the city of Engels, Saratov region, 700 km from the Ukrainian border.

At the end of last year, the airfield experienced a starting point of Ukrainian drone attacks. On December 5, drones attacked the airfields of Engels-2 and Diaghilevo in the Saratov and Ryazan regions − then three aircraft were damaged: two Tu-95 and Tu-22m3 strategic bombers.

According to the Russian newspaper "Verstka" on August 30, 2023, the Ukrainian special services and armed forces could carry out at least nine successful attacks on air bases in the Russian regions, occupied Crimea and Belarus, destroying or damaging at least 24 aircraft since the beginning of the full-scale war.