Satellite Reveals Aftermath of Strike on Russian Tu-95MS in Engels
The recently emerged satellite images of the Russian military airfield Engels-2 in Saratov region confirm severe damage to the strategic missile-carrying bomber Tu-95MS following the Ukrainian strike on August 28.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the aircraft was hit by fighters of the SBU's Special Operations Center "Alpha".
"In Russian Engels, the SBU's "Alpha" warriors struck the missile carrier Tu-95MS. It is these aircraft that launch strikes on Ukraine", — stated the President.
The aircraft sustained heavy damage to its right wing
After the attack, OSINT analysts published satellite images of Engels-2 airfield. They show the damaged Tu-95MS at its parking area.
According to Exilenova+ analysts, the strike hit the right-hand side of the aircraft. ArmyInform, analyzing the image, reports that the missile carrier lost approximately one-third of its right wing.
Due to the satellite image resolution, it is impossible to reliably determine all damage to the fuselage and other parts of the aircraft.
The monitoring channel "Strategic Aviation", which tracks Russian military aviation, also declared that the Tu-95MS used for training flights was hit. According to the channel's analysts, the aircraft is beyond repair after the received damage.
There is currently no official confirmation of the total loss of the aircraft from the SBU or the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Two damaged Tu-95MS at the airfield
According to OSINT analysts, on the morning of August 28, two Tu-160 and two damaged Tu-95MS were located at Engels-2 airfield.
One of the Tu-95MS was damaged during a previous Ukrainian operation in July. Then the SBU officially reported the destruction of a strategic bomber at the same airfield.
As a result of the July attack, the aircraft's tail section was completely torn off. The SBU's long-range drones covered about 800 kilometers to reach the target.
Thus, the current strike became at least the second confirmed hit on a Russian Tu-95MS at Engels-2 airfield in the past month and a half.
Russia uses Tu-95MS to strike Ukraine
The Tu-95MS is a strategic turboprop bomber and missile carrier that remains one of the main components of Russian long-range aviation.
Russia regularly uses such aircraft in massive attacks on Ukraine. They are carriers of Kh-101, Kh-555, and Kh-55 cruise missiles.
Engels-2 airfield is one of the key bases of Russian strategic aviation. Tu-95MS and Tu-160 aircraft are stationed there and are involved in missile strikes on Ukrainian territory.
On the same day, Zelenskyy also reported other strikes by the Defense Forces on Russian targets. In particular, an oil refinery in Yaroslavl region, located about a thousand kilometers from the front line, was hit.
Source: ArmyInform, Ukrainska Pravda, Volodymyr Zelenskyy
