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The bombers were not alone

Since June 1 was revealed The Spiderweb operationthe undercover attack that Ukraine had been prepared 18 months in an offensive with unprecedented drones on the air bases of Moscow, a question has been in the air: the reach of the offensive. Many figures have been said about Affected bombersalthough each side differs in the way of reflecting it. Now, satellite images offer a vision without a doubt of the real magnitude of damages.

Surgical operation with AI. Now we know that the offensive has marked a turning point in the war by revealing, with images from the official space and videos, the hole to the most strategic assets of Russian aviation. As We already countcoordinated by the Ukraine Safety Service (SBU), the operation used advanced drones equipped with Artificial Intelligence Algorithms That, in cases of signal loss, they completed their missions autonomously following preprogrammed routes.

Explosive loads were automatically activated when reaching the designated objectives, a capacity that combines technological autonomy with surgical precision, and that underlines a New sophistication level In the unmanned war.

Debris cleaning at the Olenya Air Base as of June 4
Debris cleaning at the Olenya Air Base as of June 4

Debris cleaning at the Olenya Air Base as of June 4

Visual confirmation of damages. Initially, the Ukrainian authorities announced the destruction of up to 41 aircraftincluding strategic bombers TU-95ms and Tu-22m3as well as early alert planes A-50. However, the New datathen confirmed in parallel in a Washington Post analysisverifiable confirm the destruction of at least Eight Tu-95ms and four Tu-22m3which represents a significant loss, even if it is less than the first statements.

A closer view of two TU-95ms aircraft destroyed in Olenya
A closer view of two TU-95ms aircraft destroyed in Olenya

A closer view of two TU-95ms aircraft destroyed in Olenya

Belaya In the Belaya Air Base, high -resolution satellite images show the calcined remains of three Tu-95ms and four TU-22m3, all apparently located in active operating areas, indicating that they were fully functional units. In Olenya, in northern Russia, impact and fire brands confirm the destruction of At least five aircraftincluding three TU-95ms and an AN-12 transport plane.

He counted the post That although these types of images are complex to interpret, the experts of the Middlebury Institute, together with independent consultants, identified patterns consistent with Total or severe destruction of aircraft. Besides, Videos from drones Ukrainians show a TU-95 line parked before the impact, and it was possible to verify intense fires in areas where, Until May 22several Tu-22 were visible. These evidence underpin the statement that Belaya was the main objective of the attack.

Olenya, seen after drone attack, in images of June 4.
Olenya, seen after drone attack, in images of June 4.

Olenya, seen after drone attack, in June 4 images

Blow to command capacity. The attack also pointed against the vital A-50 Alert aircraft at the Ivanovo base, although at the moment there is no clear images that demonstrate total destruction. Yeah There are videos in which drones are observed directly reaching these platforms, whose number was already limited before the war.

Of the nine A-50 assets that Russia possessed at the beginning of the invasion, at least two had already been destroyed and Another was damaged In Belarus. If new losses are confirmed in Ivanovo, it would be a critical blow to the Russian air detection capacity, because these devices are not only scarce, but also extremely difficult to replace.

Another Tu-22m3 destroyed in Belaya
Another Tu-22m3 destroyed in Belaya

Another Tu-22m3 destroyed in Belaya

Damages to be confirmed. In other bases such as Dyagilevo and Ukrainka, the images They do not show obvious damage for now. However, the possibility of minor damage due to shrapnel cannot be ruled out, since this type of impact is not always visible from space. Some analysts They have confused the placement of tires on the wings of the airplanes (Russian tactic to interfere with the guided systems) with calcined remains. The final confirmation will depend on future images, although the active cover -up of Moscow and the displacement of aircraft could hinder the most precise analysis.

That said, many experts conclude That, if there had been an aircraft destruction, it would not have been hidden in such a short time, suggesting that the bases were probably attacked, but without effective or significant successes.

Military impact Beyond the numbers, the relevance of the attack lies in its symbolic and strategic character. And, the destroyed bombers were not alone. They were armed With missiles of KH-101 cruise and ready to launch attacks against Ukraine. This not only validates its legitimate objective status, but also underlines the real vulnerability of the most expensive and valuable assets of the Kremlin.

The fact that there is no practical way to replace TU-95ms or TU-22m3, both out of production for decades, converts each loss into A permanent wound For Russian strategic aviation. The satellite evidence and the SBU videos show the drones directly impacting the aircraft loaded with missiles.

Repercussions and strategy. No doubt, the attack forces Moscow to Reconsiderate deeply The posture and dispersion of their bombers, which must now operate from farther and less vulnerable bases, reducing their effectiveness and response time. The operation He has sown concern visible even among Russian crews, some of which have begun to Paint references to the aircraft destroyed in their own ammunition.

If you want also, this internal psychological reaction betrays the scope of the coup: the Ukrainian assault has broken the feeling of invulnerability that surrounded Russian strategic aviation, and has shown the world that not even its nuclear bombers are safe from an asymmetric, precise and technologically advanced war.

Image | Maxar Technologies

In Xataka | The undercover operation of Ukraine has left an irreparable hole for Russia: its nuclear deterrence has jumped through the air

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