Ukrainian Drones Destroyed Two Tu-142s in Rostov Region

Satellite images have confirmed the destruction of two Tu-142 aircraft at the Taganrog Yuzhny airfield in the Rostov region as a result of a strike by the Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces on May 30.

This is evidenced by satellite images of the airfield released by AviVector analysts, obtained on June 1 following the attack.

The images show a destroyed Tu-142MR long-range radio-reconnaissance aircraft and a Tu-142MK anti-submarine aircraft that were located on the airport grounds.

Both aircraft had been in storage for a long time and were not in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces.

At the same time, satellite images confirmed that another Tu-142MR remained undamaged and continues to be parked at the airfield.

Also remaining on the airfield are two A-50 long-range early warning aircraft, which were damaged or disabled during previous attacks.

These are the A-50U and the experimental Beriev A-100, which had previously been captured in satellite images showing visible damage.

The Tu-142 is a long-range maritime variant of the Tu-95 strategic bomber and was designed to combat enemy submarines.

The Tu-142MR variant is designed to maintain communication with submarines equipped with ballistic missiles, specifically by transmitting commands via very high frequency (VHF) communication systems.

In turn, the Tu-142MK is a modernized anti-submarine aircraft designed to search for, track, and engage submarines.

The strike on the Taganrog-Yuzhny airfield was yet another attack by Ukrainian drones on Russian aviation infrastructure deep in the rear.

Although the destroyed aircraft were in storage, their loss reduces the available fleet of specialized aircraft in this family and deprives Russia of part of its reserve of aviation equipment.

Militarnyi pre reported that the Tu-142s hit by the USF had been in storage since 2011.