The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has carried out another successful special operation, resulting in the destruction of a Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber. At the time of the strike, the aircraft was stationed at Engels Air Base in Russia’s Saratov region. According to a statement published on the SBU’s official Facebook page, the bomber had been repeatedly used by Russian forces to launch large-scale missile attacks against Ukraine.
To strike the target, the SBU employed long-range unmanned aerial systems that traveled approximately 800 km (500 miles) to reach the air base. According to preliminary reports, the aircraft sustained catastrophic damage during the attack, with its entire tail section reportedly torn off.
According to the SBU, the operation was carried out as part of the objectives set by the President of Ukraine to reduce the military and economic capabilities of the aggressor state. The agency stated that it continues to target key elements of Russia’s military infrastructure, arguing that every strategic bomber destroyed represents dozens of missiles that will no longer be launched against Ukrainian cities, potentially saving lives while inflicting losses worth tens of millions of dollars on Russia.
“Russia’s strategic aviation can no longer consider itself safe, even at its most remote military air bases,” the SBU said in its statement.
As a reminder, we recently reported on another Ukrainian operation in which FPV drones destroyed a Russian Su-24M bomber at Saky Air Base in temporarily occupied Crimea while the aircraft was reportedly preparing for takeoff. The operation was conducted by special forces from the Omega Special Purpose Center of Ukraine’s National Guard.
The special operations unit reportedly employed two FPV strike drones during the attack. According to available information, the first drone struck the nose section of the Su-24M, while the second hit the area around the aircraft’s fuel tanks, reportedly destroying it.
The SBU has also recently conducted another successful drone operation, this time involving uncrewed surface vessels. In cooperation with the Ukrainian Navy, the agency targeted the tankers Louise 1 and Banda, which Ukrainian authorities identify as part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.” The vessels were attacked in the Black Sea using the SBU’s Mamai uncrewed surface drones. According to Ukrainian officials, Russian aircraft attempted to intercept the drones but failed to prevent them from reaching their intended targets.
The Louise 1 tanker was reportedly used to transport Russian crude oil while the G7 and the European Union’s oil embargo was in effect. According to Ukrainian authorities, it carried cargo from Russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas with its Automatic Identification System (AIS) switched off to conceal its movements. The Banda tanker was also reportedly involved in transporting Russian crude oil.
Read also:
- Russian Tankers Burning in the Black Sea: Ukrainian Drones Strike 20 Vessels
- Macron Announces the Transfer of 16 Rafale Fighter Jets to Ukraine and the Imminent Launch of Pilot Training
Source: facebook
