Ukraine Drone Strikes Deal Major Blow to Russia’s Strategic Bomber Fleet

Russia’s air force suffered one of its most significant—and potentially irreparable—losses in years after a massive Ukrainian drone strike targeted five military bases on June 1, destroying or damaging dozens of aircraft, including some that are no longer in production.

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) claimed the operation, dubbed “Spider Web,” struck 41 aircraft across bases in Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur, destroying 13 and damaging several others. The aircraft hit reportedly included high-value strategic bombers such as the Tu-95MS, Tu-22M3, Tu-160, and an A-50 early warning aircraft.

Russia’s Defense Ministry acknowledged fires at bases in Murmansk and Irkutsk but claimed it had repelled attacks at the other sites. Ukrainian sources estimate the damage could exceed $7 billion—a figure difficult to independently verify due to a lack of access and uncertainty over the true number of aircraft destroyed and the extent of the damage.

High-Value Targets Hit

Satellite imagery and footage released by Ukrainian sources appear to show multiple Tu-95MS bombers engulfed in flames at the Olenya and Belaya airbases. Analysts using open-source intelligence (OSINT) estimate at least five Tu-95MS, four Tu-22M3s, and one An-12 transport plane were destroyed, with three more Tu-95MS damaged.

While Ukraine did not release evidence of hits in Ivanovo or Ryazan, photos circulating on Russian social media suggest a drone-carrying container was destroyed in Amur before reaching its target.

Experts warn that the strategic implications of the strikes go far beyond dollar figures.

“These are not just expensive planes—they are irreplaceable assets,” said Piotr Butowski, a leading analyst of Russian military aviation. “The Tu-95MS hasn’t been produced in over 30 years. There is no modern replacement.”

The Tu-95MS is Russia’s oldest active strategic bomber, a Cold War-era platform capable of launching long-range cruise missiles from deep inside Russian territory. Despite its age, it remains one of the pillars of Russia’s nuclear triad.

Irreplaceable Losses

With only about 50–60 Tu-95MS aircraft believed to be combat-ready before the war, the reported loss of at least five represents nearly 10% of the fleet. Factoring in planes undergoing maintenance, the operational impact could be even greater.

Restoring these losses isn’t as simple as ordering replacements. Most Tu-95MS were built between 1981 and 1993. Many airframes kept in storage are cannibalized for spare parts and would require extensive work to return to flying condition.

The Tu-22M3, first flown in 1977, is also out of production. Fewer than 60 are believed to remain in Russia’s inventory today, with several lost in crashes or enemy fire during the Ukraine war.

The Tu-160, Russia’s most modern and rarest strategic bomber, has so far escaped damage. Only 16 were operational prior to the war. Although Russia ordered 10 newly built Tu-160Ms in 2018—at an estimated $270 million each—no additional purchases have been announced since then. Delays in production and limited capacity at the Kazan plant mean replenishing losses would be neither quick nor cheap.

“Technically, Russia can rebuild, but not without significant cost and time,” said War Zone analyst Thomas Newdick.

A Setback to Nuclear Deterrence

Strategic bombers give Russia a flexible tool for long-range missile strikes and nuclear deterrence. They routinely patrol near NATO airspace and are capable of reaching North America.

The blow dealt by Ukraine raises serious questions about how Russia will protect its most valuable aircraft on the ground going forward.

“This is a dark day for the Russian strategic air force,” one Russian fighter pilot posted online. Mikhail Zvinchuk, a military blogger with ties to Russia’s defense ministry, described the losses as “difficult to replace.”

The A-50 Question

Ukraine also claimed to have hit A-50 early warning aircraft, although it has not released proof. Only nine A-50s were in service before the war, with at least two confirmed shot down and another damaged. Each A-50 is valued at roughly $350 million and provides crucial airborne radar support with detection ranges up to 800 kilometers.

If confirmed, the strikes on these aircraft represent not just battlefield losses but a critical degradation of Russia’s long-range surveillance and nuclear strike capabilities.

“Going forward, Russia will have to rethink how it safeguards its high-value aviation assets,” said Newdick. “Because clearly, the current system is failing.”

Sources: War Zone, RIA Novosti, Reuters

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