Ukraine’s drones knock out two rare Russian Tu-95 bombers at Engels-2

Images from space show Ukrainian drones targeting and disabling two Tu-95 strategic bombers at the Engels-2 airbase during July and August. These Soviet-era aircraft, which can carry Kh-101 missiles over 9,300 miles, form a crucial part of Russia’s nuclear triad and its deep-strike capability. Because no new Tu-95s have been built since the early 1990s, each loss is permanent and politically significant.

Experts from the Royal United Services Institute noted that the bombers have been used in intensive missile raids for over four years, and their destruction at home base is a symbolic blow to Moscow. Open-source group Oryx records at least ten Tu-95s have been targeted since the invasion began, suggesting a broader campaign. The strikes also compel Russia to redeploy air-defence assets across a wider area, potentially leaving other regions more vulnerable.