Satellite Images Confirm Tu-95 Bomber Destroyed 800 Kilometers Inside Russia
Updated
Updated · Kyiv Post · Jul 17
Satellite Images Confirm Tu-95 Bomber Destroyed 800 Kilometers Inside Russia
3 articles · Updated · Kyiv Post · Jul 17
Summary
July 19 Planet Labs imagery shows a Russian Tu-95 at Engels-2 airbase in Saratov critically damaged and effectively severed in half after a Ukrainian drone strike.
The images back Ukraine's July 17 claim that SBU long-range drones flew about 800 kilometers to the base and tore off the bomber's tail section.
Kyiv said the strike was meant to degrade Russia's war machine, arguing each destroyed strategic bomber prevents missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and inflicts tens of millions of dollars in losses.
The Tu-95 is one of Russia's main cruise-missile carriers, with 2023 estimates putting the fleet at 63 aircraft; each bomber is worth more than $26 million and can launch up to six Kh-101 missiles.
With strategic bombers no longer safe, is Russia's vast territory now its greatest military vulnerability?
How is Ukraine's AI-driven drone army reshaping the future of modern warfare against a superpower?
Irreplaceable Loss: Ukraine’s July 2026 Drone Strike on Engels-2 Air Base and the Future of Drone Warfare
Overview
On July 16, 2026, Ukraine launched a long-range drone strike on Russia’s Engels-2 air base in Saratov Oblast, destroying a Tu-95MS strategic bomber. Engels-2 is a key hub for Russian strategic aviation, where these bombers are stationed for rotation, maintenance, and training. The loss is significant because Tu-95MS bombers are virtually irreplaceable, with production having ended decades ago. This incident highlights the evolving nature of warfare, as drone operations increasingly diminish Russia’s strategic aviation capabilities and expose the vulnerability of even its most important military assets.