Images reveal wreckage of devastated Russian strategic bombers
Title: The Devastating Impact of Operation "Spiderweb" on Russia's Strategic Bomber Fleet
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The surpriscoe of Operation "Spiderweb," a radical drone attack orchestrated by Ukraine, has left a significant dent in Russia's air force and revealed vulnerabilities far beyond the front lines. Fresh space images disclose unfathomable destruction at one of the targeted military bases, deep in Russia's heartland.
High-resolution satellite images from provider Maxar portray a post-battlefield landscape at the diggsy Russian support point Belaya in the vital region of Irkutsk:
A Fractured Force | This clip is rumored to depict an attack on A50 aircraft
The images (obtained June 4) evoke a stark contrast compared to pre-attack images dated May 22, 2025. Enlarged photographs of selected areas exhibit incinerated wreckage and conspicuous burn marks where strategic bombers once stood. The apparently damaged aircraft seems to belong to the supersonic Tu-22M "Backfire" series. The marred area at Belaya also houses at least three dinged Tu-95 "Bear" bombers.
Maxar's images harmonize with footage released by the Ukrainian domestic intelligence service SBU a day after the audacious drone attacks. The crisp photos provide further support for the monumental scale of Russia's air force losses.
At launch, Ukraine claimed 41 aircraft were felled during the operation. In days that followed, Russia acknowledged the loss of at least 13 military aircraft. However, experts approximate that over 11 bombers perished at Belaya alone, with additional attacks occurring at the military bases of Olenya near the Finnish border, as well as at the airfields of Ivanovo and Dyagilevo near Moscow.
With Trepidation | Ukrainians brace for "Great Russian Revenge"
Analysts suggest the actual number of destroyed or damaged aircraft may exceed Russia's reported count. The kaboom at Ivanovo near Moscow possibly claimed several A-50 machines - replaceable yet crucial assets in Russia's repertoire. However, it remains uncertain which aircraft, if any, were hit at this location.
A section of the revealing images published by Maxar focuses on the parking spots on the southern edge of the Belaya military airport. Among them, the parking spots for the Tu-22 swing-wing bombers are distinct. The area lies several hundred meters away from the runway, with protective earth walls shielding each aircraft parking spot.
The Belaya Bomber Base | Located Approximately 4500 Kilometers from the Front Line in Siberia
The Irkutsk region's Belaya Airport, boasting a nearly four-kilometer-long runway, bunkers, and ammunition depots plays an integral role in Russia's long-range strike capabilities. The strategic significance of this base is immense, making it a lucrative target for Ukraine's impressive military feat.
The bases were Russia's secure haven for bombers until the crafty attack. The far-flung runways safeguarded Putin's bombers, allowing them to amass critical fuel and ammunition for daily attacks against Ukrainian cities.
A comparison of images centers around Belaya's bomber base's apron. The swarm of drones reached the parking spaces of several Tu-95 bombers during the June 1 attack. The pre-attack picture (May 22) differs considerably from the post-attack image (June 4).
The heavy four-engine machines are easily identifiable on the ground, boasting a wingspan of around 50 meters and a maximum takeoff weight of approximately 190 tons. The immense size and weight of these bombers necessitate expansive concrete parking spots. With fuel capacity of up to 90 tons, they can travel long distances without refueling.
Maxar's images only paint a fragment of the overall picture: The attack resulted in the destruction of at least three Tu-95 bombers at Belaya. Vehicle tracks on the ground suggest the futile attempts to extinguish the resulting inferno.
No turning back now | Trucks, Camouflage, Attack, TargetsThe images imply that the destroyed aircraft were not permanently parked but were ready for active deployments. Apart from the extent of the fire and quantity of fuel, some bombers appear to have been moved in the days leading up to the attack.
Drone images from Ukrainian sources also reveal that cruise missiles were already attached to at least one of the targeted aircraft before the devastation. This evidence suggests an imminent takeoff of bombers towards Ukraine.
Source: ntv.de
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Additional Insights:
Operation "Spiderweb" emerged as a critical turning point in the military conflict between Ukraine and Russia. This drone-led assault on strategic Russian air bases disrupted Moscow's long-range capabilities, causing an estimated financial loss of around $7 billion. The attack also had a profound psychological impact within Russia,leading to an increase in surveillance, distrust, and logistical bottlenecks [1].
The strategic importance of each targeted airbase, particularly Belaya,Belaya Olenya, Ivanovo, and Dyagilevo, highlights their crucial role in Russia's strategic bombing operations. Losses of key aircraft such as the Tu-22M3 and Tu-95MS, as well as A-50 surveillance planes, severely impaired Russia's ability to launch long-range cruise missile attacks against Ukrainian cities [2].
The operation underscored Ukraine's capability to carry out asymmetrical warfare against superior adversaries [2]. The success of this operation not only showcases Ukraine's innovative tactics but highlights the vulnerabilities in Russia's rearmost defense.
- The devastation at the Belaya military base, captured in high-resolution satellite images, raises questions about the implementation of community and employment policies within Russia's military, as the loss of over 11 strategic bombers houses within the base could have significant repercussions for the country's science, politics, and general-news sectors.
- The disclosure of unfathomable destruction at the Belaya military base, located 4500 kilometers from the front line in Siberia, has sparked debate in the realm of space-and-astronomy circles worldwide, as the vulnerabilities exposed in Russia's air force suggest the potential for unprecedented military advancements in the future.
