Russian Air Force Tu-95 Destroyed

Destroyed in a Ukrainian drone strike on Engels-2 Air Base in Russia's Saratov Oblast overnight on 16 July 2026. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said its long-range drones flew roughly 800 km to reach the target, and released footage showing the bomber's tail section completely severed, assessing the aircraft as damaged beyond repair. Russian Telegram channels had reported a drone attack on the base overnight. The Tu-95MS, regularly used to launch cruise missile strikes against Ukraine, has been out of production since the early 1990s, making each airframe lost effectively irreplaceable for Russia's strategic bomber fleet.

• Ukrainian Drones Destroy Tu-95 Strategic Bomber at Engels Air Base Deep Inside Russia — 18 Jul 2026