Satellite Images Confirm Four More Tu-22M3 Bombers Destroyed at Belaya Air Base

New satellite imagery has confirmed the destruction of four additional Tu-22M3 bombers at the Belaya air base.

Chris Biggers, a social media platform X user, published the images.

The assessment used synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite technology, which enables high-resolution imaging irrespective of weather conditions or time of day.

In addition to the primary loss of four Tu-95 bombers, the destruction of four Tu-22M3 bombers has also been confirmed, with three of them located in hardened aircraft shelters at the time of the attack.

Significant debris remains at the locations where these aircraft were stationed, indicating the loss of these aircraft without the possibility of repair or return to service.

It is worth recalling that as part of the Spider’s Web Operation, the Security Service of Ukraine successfully confirmed the destruction of eight bombers at the Belaya air base using FPV drones.

On the same day, the Olenya air base, used by Russian strategic aviation and located nearly 1,800 km from the Ukrainian border, was also targeted. Additionally, the military air bases at Dyagilevo in the Ryazan region and Ivanovo in the Ivanovo region of Russia were attacked.

According to official information, the Security Service of Ukraine deployed 117 strike drones, which hit 34% of the carriers of strategic cruise missiles at their home airfields.

Despite the Belaya air base being located 4,400 kilometers from the front line, according to the President of Ukraine, the “office” of the operation on Russian territory was situated near the FSS headquarters.

Meanwhile, Russian bloggers claim that, based on publications showing containers from which the strike drones were launched, they were able to identify the geolocation — Chelyabinsk city, Sverdlovsky Trakt Street, 28a.

The listing shows the rent costs RUB 350,000 (less than $5,000) monthly.

The loss of aircraft of this type today is a serious blow to the capabilities of the Russian Aerospace Forces, as neither the Tu-95 nor the Tu-22M3 are currently in production.

Furthermore, the reduction in the number of these aircraft will create gaps in Russia’s air-based nuclear deterrence system and decrease the frequency of sorties targeting Ukrainian territory. It is also possible that, with increased security measures at airbases, the Russians will start relocating their bomber aviation to more remote airfields.