Russia uses Tu-160 strategic bombers handed over by Ukraine 25 years ago
Photo: Tu-160 aircraft (wikipedia.org)
The Russian military uses Ukrainian Tu-160 strategic bombers. Kyiv transferred them to Moscow in 1999 in exchange for clearing its debt for consumed Russian gas, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Journalists analyzed the serial numbers of aircraft involved in the deal at the time and compared them with data from international aviation registries. These were matched with the numbers of bombers currently used by Russia.
It was revealed that at least six Tu-160 bombers transferred by Ukraine are now in active service with the Russian army.
Additionally, the identities of Russian pilots assigned to operate these Ukrainian bombers were uncovered. These individuals may be linked to mass missile strikes on Ukraine.
Overall, journalists from the Schemes project identified ten Ukrainian strategic aircraft transferred to Russia:
- Nikolai Kuznetsov (formerly Ukrainian aircraft with tail number "10");
- Vasily Senko ("11");
- Aleksandr Novikov ("12");
- Vladimir Sudets ("15");
- Aleksey Plokhov ("16");
- Andrey Tupolev ("18");
- Igor Sikorsky ("22").
It is noted that at least six of these planes are currently part of Russia's active military fleet.
Journalists also identified three Tu-95MS bombers: Krasnoyarsk, Sevastopol, and Izborsk — new names given to the Ukrainian bombers in Russia.
Massive strike on Ukraine
Russian forces launched over 200 targets at Ukraine on the night of November 16-17. It was reported that Russia used Tu-160 bombers for the first time in a long period. This suggests the enemy may be facing issues with their cruise missile carriers.
