Tu-160

NATO scrambles F-35s to escort Russian bombers over Norwegian Sea

Two F-35 jets were scrambled to escort Russian nuclear-capable Tu-160 supersonic strategic bombers over the Norwegian Sea on June 22, Newsweek reported on June 23, citing a senior NATO military official.

23 June, 08:39 PM

Russia expands key strategic bomber airfield—HUR

Russia has begun expanding its Saratov Oblast strategic air base Engels-2, pouring concrete for 12 new aircraft aprons to accommodate its missile-carrying bombers, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) reported on Oct. 17.

17 October 2025, 08:36 PM

Satellite images reveal Engels-2 airbase cleared of Russian bombers

For the first time in years, there are no aircraft visible at Russia’s Engels-2 airbase — one of its most important hubs for strategic aviation — according to Sentinel-2 satellite imagery reviewed by The New Voice of Ukraine on June 15.

16 June 2025, 04:56 PM

Russia overloads bombers in June 6 strike due to aircraft losses

Russia was able to launch its massive overnight missile and drone strike on Ukraine on June 6 using only seven strategic bombers—five Tu-95MS and two Tu-160s—Defense Express reported, citing military sources.

6 June 2025, 02:19 PM

Why Russia is moving its bombers and what Germany’s support for Ukraine’s missiles really means

Oleh Katkov, Editor-in-Chief of Defense Express, joined Radio NV to discuss why Russia is relocating its Tu-95MS bombers to Olenya Airbase, what long-range weapons could reach them there, the condition of Russia’s strategic aviation fleet, and what Germany’s investment in Ukrainian missile production signals for the future.

30 May 2025, 03:20 PM

Bombers shortage weakens Russian missile firepower, analysts say

The shortage of Tu-160 and Tu-95MS missile-launching aircraft could explain the relatively small number of long-range missiles fired by Russian forces in combined attacks over the weekend, compared to monthly production capability of 150 missiles, Defense Express wrote on May 26.

26 May 2025, 02:01 PM

Russia relies on Soviet-era stock for bomber ‘production’

Russia is currently unable to manufacture new Tu-160 and Tu-22 strategic bombers from scratch and relies on mothballed Soviet-era airframes, Defense Express reported on Jan. 20.

20 January 2025, 09:42 PM

Drones attack strategic sites in Russia’s Tatarstan, explosions across Kazan - Video

Several groups of drones have reportedly attacked the capital of the Russian Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan, the Mash Telegram channel claimed early on Jan. 20.

20 January 2025, 09:01 AM

Tu-160