Ukrainian drone strike sets new range record, hits Russian bomber
"Impressive feat" – that's how Lars Peder Haga, a professor at the Norwegian Air Force Academy, described the strike on the Olenya airbase in Russia, according to the Ukrainian agency Unian. It was here that the Ukrainian armed forces reportedly hit the Tu-22M3 bomber.
6:07 AM EDT, July 29, 2024
The strike on the Olenya airbase, located in northern Russia, is significant for Ukrainians for two reasons. First, it demonstrates the capabilities of the defenders' army. Second, during the attack, one of the more valuable aircraft for Russian aviation – the Tu-22M3 bomber – was damaged.
Record-breaking strike by Ukrainians
– First and foremost, it's a historical range record. Previously, the maximum was about 621 miles, then about 746 miles. Now it is 1,118 miles, observed aviation expert Valeri Romanenko in an interview with Channel 24. Professor Lars Peder Haga noted in the context of the strike on the Russian base that the attack on the Kola Peninsula was a matter of time. – The question was "when", not "if" Ukraine would strike this base. It's an impressive feat because Olenya is located 1,118 miles from the border with Ukraine, and GPS in that region is constantly jammed, added Haga.
Romanenko also points to another detail of this attack from the night of July 27. He emphasizes that the Russian Tu-22M3 bomber was hit directly by a Ukrainian drone. This, in turn, signifies that the defenders' drones have improved targeting capabilities. The expert explains that the drones decide on the strike directly before the attack, as effective communication cannot be ensured at such a long distance (approx. 1,118 miles).
– Ukraine can send drones not to strike areas but specific objects, added Romanenko. In the opinion of the Ukrainian expert, this means that the Russians do not have a safe place now – to the Ural Mountains. Up to this point, they can be hit by Ukrainian weapons.
Let us recall that the Tu-22M3 bombers are produced by Tupolev and powered by two NK-25 jet engines, each generating about 31,500 pounds of thrust. They accelerate the aircraft to about 1,429 mph (cruising speed is about 559 mph).
The Tu-22M3 can operate at 59,055 feet, and its range is estimated at 4,350 miles. This means that this Russian bomber can carry weapons to almost any place in the world. Its main armament is housed in one bomb bay on four external hardpoints.
An important characteristic of the Tu-22M3 is its variable-geometry wing, which ranges from 20 to 65 degrees. This design allows the aircraft to achieve higher speeds while minimizing fuel consumption.
