Ukrainian drones strike deep: 2 Russian bombers hit beyond Arctic Circle
6:08 AM EDT, July 31, 2024
During the attack on the Olenya airport in the Russian Federation, two Russian Tu-22M bombers were simultaneously damaged, announced Ukrainian intelligence. The airport is located 1,100 miles from Ukraine, beyond the Arctic Circle, in the Murmansk region.
Ukrainian intelligence provided new information regarding the attack on the Russian Olenya airport in the Murmansk region. Kyiv drones covered 1,100 miles to reach the military base beyond the Arctic Circle, where Tu-22M3 bombers are stationed.
Not one, but two bombers
The representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, Andriy Yusov, announced that not one but two Russian bombers were damaged in the attack. “Yes, we can confirm this information,” he said. Yusov did not provide any other details regarding the incident.
Two machines, with tail numbers 31 and 33, were damaged. Restoring these airplanes to service may take several months.
Yusov said, "It was an important target because the enemy cannot produce such equipment, so they try to hide it as far away as possible." These bombers frequently attack Ukraine.
Attack beyond the Arctic Circle
The Tu-22M3 is a bomber carrying Kh-22 cruise missiles, which can be armed with nuclear warheads. The distance from the Ukrainian border to the particular operation site is 1,100 miles. The airport is located beyond the Arctic Circle.
Ukrainian media also reported on Saturday, citing Russian sources, that last night, drones attacked the Diaghilevo airport and an oil refinery near Ryazan, a little over 120 miles southeast of Moscow.
