Russian bombers over Ukraine signal to US amidst tensions
Recently, the Russian Federation has been systematically conducting bomber flights over Ukraine without launching any missiles. Military analyst Denis Popovych, cited by the Ukrainian agency Unian, suggests that these "demonstrations" of escalation may be aimed at the United States.
7:39 AM EST, November 15, 2024
The Russians have been regularly mobilizing bombers for several days—an action that would not be particularly noteworthy except that attacks do not follow these flights. Popovych points out that one such flight occurred on Monday, November 11, another on Wednesday, and the next on Friday. On November 15, as many as eight bombers flew, yet none of them launched a missile.
Russians scramble bombers but do not attack
“The next series should occur on Sunday. If this happens, the Russians will show they are prepared to launch. Still, I think they are sending a signal to the Americans, who now want to bring the situation to a negotiation level, possibly demonstrating a readiness for escalation. The question remains open,” said the analyst.
According to the expert, such "demonstrations" require substantial financial resources. This is mainly because many planes take off during these flights, consuming a lot of fuel, which also contributes to the wear of the aircraft. Popovych mentions that Russia mainly uses Tu-95MS bombers, which cover significant distances during these "demonstrations."
“To achieve some effect, I think they won't count the money. What is that effect? We'll see what happens on Sunday. If it occurs then there is some system in place. It can genuinely impact an external observer before any negotiations begin,” added the analyst. Popovych also noted that it cannot be confirmed whether the bombers are flying with armed missiles or are entirely "empty." To determine this, one would need to track the movements of the Russians just before the planes take off.
Russian Tu-95MS bombers
The strategic bomber Tu-95MS, often called the "bear," is a crucial part of the Russian armed forces' arsenal.
Its uniqueness stems from its impressive range, which exceeds 6,200 miles, and its transport capacity, allowing it to carry loads weighing up to 44,000 pounds. This cargo capacity enables the Tu-95MS to transport missiles and bombs, including those with nuclear warheads, on intercontinental flights. The bomber can reach a maximum flight altitude of more than 7.5 miles, and its speed is about 515 mph.
