A Ukrainian drone strike has destroyed a Russian long-range bomber at the Soltsy-2 airbase, south of St. Petersburg.
Images posted on social media and analyzed by BBC Verify show the Russian aircraft, a Tupolev Tu-22, engulfed in flames.
Regarding the event, there were no reactions from Kiev, but Moscow said that a drone that was hit by Russian forces with small arms managed to damage an aircraft.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said that a military airport in the Novgorod region, exactly where the Soltsy-2 base is located, was attacked by a “copter” type drone around 10:00 Moscow time.
“There were no victims as a result of the terrorist act,” the statement said.
Although the destruction of a single plane is unlikely to affect the strength of Moscow’s military fleet of 60 aircraft, the operation highlights Kiev’s growing ability to strike targets deep inside Russian territory.
The Tu-22 is a Cold War-era supersonic swing-wing bomber codenamed “Backfire” by NATO.
Modern versions such as the Tu-22M3 can reach speeds of 2,300 km/h and can carry up to 24,000 kg of ammunition.
The Tu-22 can travel at twice the speed of sound and has been widely used by Russia to attack cities in Ukraine.
