Satellite images taken shortly after a major Ukrainian drone strike deep inside Russian territory reveal that multiple strategic bombers were destroyed or severely damaged, according to three independent open-source intelligence analysts.
The strikes, which occurred over the weekend, targeted at least four Russian air bases and involved the launch of 117 drones from containers positioned close to the sites. Drone footage verified by Reuters shows several aircraft being hit, confirming damage at multiple locations.
The imagery focused on the Belaya air base indicates significant losses, with both Tu-22 and Tu-95 bombers — key components of Russia’s long-range strike capability — visibly damaged. These aircraft have been used extensively in Russian missile attacks on Ukraine.
Analyst Brady Africk noted the presence of decoy aircraft at Belaya, which appeared to have failed in misleading the Ukrainian drones. “It’s clear that the attack on this airbase was very successful,” he said.
Ukraine’s campaign reportedly extended to airfields in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions. The Russian Defense Ministry acknowledged the strikes and said air defenses repelled drones in three of the regions, but confirmed that several aircraft caught fire at airfields in Murmansk and Irkutsk.
At Olenya air base in Murmansk — a site lacking satellite radar imagery — verified drone video released by Ukrainian authorities showed at least two Tu-95 bombers in flames and a third engulfed in a massive explosion.
This marks one of the most coordinated and far-reaching Ukrainian drone operations to date, reaching deep into Russian airspace and targeting key strategic assets.
