Last night, Ukrainian reconnaissance drones struck a Russian TU-22M3 strategic bomber at Olenya Airfield in Russia.
The drones of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense attacked the Russian TU-22M3 strategic bomber at Olenya Airfield in Russia on the night of Saturday, July 27, as confirmed by sources within the GUR to several publications.
“Due to the GUR MO operation near Olenegorsk at the Olenya Airfield, a base for the Russian occupiers’ strategic aviation, a long-range supersonic bomber—TU-22M3—was hit.”
The source also mentioned that the first explosions at the military airfield occurred around 06:00 local time. The airfield hosts the 43rd Combat Application and Retraining Center for enemy aircrew, where TU-95MS, TU-22M3, TU-134UBL, and Il-78 aircraft are based, and an aviation repair plant is located. Additionally, the attack by kamikaze drones also hit an oil refinery in Ryazan.
The results of the drone strikes on other enemy military targets are still being verified, the source added.
It is worth noting that the distance from the Ukrainian border to the site of the operation is 1800 km. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Olenya Airfield, located in the Murmansk region of Russia, has been used for launching missiles from TU-22 and TU-95 aircraft targeting our territory.
For reference, the TU-22M (“product 45,” NATO codename: Backfire) is a Soviet and Russian long-range supersonic missile bomber with variable-sweep wings. It is capable of carrying nuclear weapons and was produced in two main modifications:
- TU-22M2: Produced from 1972 to 1984 and was retired in the mid-1990s.
- TU-22M3: Produced from 1978 to 1993 and is still in service today.
The TU-22M aircraft is one of the most secretive aviation projects of the Soviet era during the Cold War, which is why a significant amount of available information about this aircraft is still inaccurate.
It is worth noting that on the night of July 21, as a result of sabotage operations by the GUR, enemy Mi-28 and Ka-226 helicopters were struck at the National Helicopter Center Mil & Kamov (Tommilino, Moscow Region). Additionally, on July 24, a multi-role Mi-8 helicopter was destroyed in a sabotage operation at the Russian Ministry of Defense airfield “Kryazh” in Samara.
Source: X
