Production of the three bombers targeted in the attack ceased in 1991, making the construction of new planes all but impossible.
One June 1, Ukraine launched a highly coordinated drone assault on multiple Russian air bases. Operation Spiderweb, as the attack was dubbed, represents one of the most audacious and significant Ukrainian actions of the war. The attack targeted Russia’s strategic bomber fleet, deep within its territory. Here is a rundown of the Russian bombers that were destroyed in the attack.
Russia’s Irreparable Aircraft Losses
According to the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), three different types of Russian aircraft were destroyed: the Tu-95 Bear, Tu-22M3 Backfire, and the A-50 Mainstay. Each aircraft is integral to Russia’s nuclear triad and long-range strike capabilities.
The Tu-95 is a long-range strategic bomber used for carrying cruise missiles, while the Tu-22M3 is a supersonic, variable-sweep wing bomber capable of carrying anti-ship and land-attack missiles. The A-50 Mainstay is an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft used for air surveillance and command—filling roughly the same niche in the Russian airfleet as the Boeing E-6 AWACS plane does for the US Air Force.
In total, Ukraine has reported damaging or destroying 41 aircraft on the ground—representing a significant blow to Russia’s overall military strategy, and a stunning victory for Ukrainian forces.
What Remains of Russia’s Bomber Fleet?
Before the attack, Russia’s strategic bomber fleet consisted of 60 Tu-95s, 60 Tu-22M3s, and 15 Tu-160 Blackjack bombers—for a total of 135 aircraft. The reported destruction of 41 aircraft during Operation Spiderweb thus represents slightly under one-third of the Russian strategic bomber fleet.
Given Russia’s current industrial capacity, the likelihood of replacing these bombers is essentially zero. Production of the three bombers ceased in 1991 with the fall of the Soviet Union, and the production lines have been shuttered for 30 years, making the construction of new planes all but impossible. It is notable that Russia does have reserve aircraft in varying stages of operability in its two “boneyards”—so it is not impossible that it could eventually regain some of the capability lost over the weekend.
But the immediate result is that Russia’s strategic bombing capacity has been left in tatters, with dramatically reduced effectiveness. The implications will influence the way that the rest of the war is conducted, as well as the way that future posturing and war-making is conducted. The loss likely marks a watershed moment in Russian strategy as well.
Understanding Russia’s Bomber Fleet
The Tu-95 and the Tu-22M3 are Cold War relics, but both bombers are still largely functional in a modern context. The distinctive Tu-95 is emblematic of the Soviet Union, and is often considered the Soviet equivalent of the B-52 Stratofortress. Equipped with turboprop engines and contra-rotating propellers, the Tu-95 is nuclear capable with a range of nearly 10,000 miles. The 1950s-era design is very loud and very slow, and certainly vulnerable to modern air defenses. But the old bomber can still perform impressively with respect to endurance, range, and payload.
By contrast, the Tu-22M3 is a supersonic medium-range bomber that features two afterburning turbofan engines. With a top speed of Mach 1.88, the Tu-22M3 is still a Cold War relic, albeit a mid- to late-Cold War relic. Although the Tu-22M3 is a non-stealth aircraft suffering from short range and endurance, the Tu-22M3 still adds value for its high speed and high survivability. Equipped with a powerful and versatile missile load, the Tu-22M3 is a valuable asset in the Russian arsenal.
Neither aircraft is especially impressive by modern standards. But they are substantially irreplaceable to Russia—meaning the Kremlin will be reeling from the weekend’s attack for some time to come.
About the Author: Harrison Kass
Harrison Kass is a defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.
Image: Shutterstock / dimcha.
