Archive · 23 Jul 2026
Ukrainian drone destroys irreplaceable Russian bomber deep inside Russia
Ukraine used a drone to destroy a very important Russian bomber plane called the Tu-95MS.
This plane is used to launch missiles that have been attacking Ukrainian cities.
The bomber was destroyed at a Russian air base far inside Russia, about 800 kilometres from Ukraine.
This is a big deal because Russia can't make more of these planes anymore.
The plane is very old, first flown in 1952, and is one of the loudest planes ever made.
It can carry up to six missiles, and a newer version can carry even more.
Russia is working on a new stealth bomber to replace it, but it's not ready yet.
Satellite pictures confirm that the plane was destroyed.
Ukrainian drone destroyed a Tu-95MS strategic bomber at Russia's Engels-2 air base, 800 km inside Russia.
The Tu-95MS is a primary carrier of Kh-101 cruise missiles used in attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Satellite images confirm the destruction of the bomber, as shared by open-source intelligence groups.
The Tu-95MS cannot be replaced as the production infrastructure no longer exists.
The bomber is capable of conducting nuclear war from an airborne position, making it central to Russia's military ambitions.
- Who
- Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) using a drone
- What
- Destruction of a Tu-95MS strategic bomber at Engels-2 air base
- When
- Date not specified
- Where
- Engels-2 air base, Russia
- Why
- To weaken Russia's military capabilities in the ongoing war
Ukrainian Perspective
Russian Perspective
Significance of the Strike
Ukrainian Perspective
Ukraine views the destruction of the Tu-95MS bomber as a significant strategic victory, weakening Russia's ability to launch cruise missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Russian Perspective
Russia likely sees the strike as a serious setback, given the bomber's critical role in its military operations and the inability to replace it.
- Date of Strike
- Not specified
- Location of Strike
- Engels-2 air base, Russia
- Distance from Ukraine
- 800 kilometres
- Type of Aircraft Destroyed
- Tu-95MS strategic bomber
- Missiles Carried by Tu-95MS
- Up to six Kh-101 cruise missiles or eight Kh-101/Kh-102 missiles in modernized version
- Production Status
- Production infrastructure no longer exists; replacement program (PAK DA) not yet operational