The Russian Tu-95MS bombers, also known as the “Bear” in NATO terminology, are long-range strategic bombers that have been a prominent part of Russia’s air force since the Cold War era.
I am not surprised. Kinda expected that before I clicked on the link.
Isn’t the B-52 from the 1950s? They’re still in-use too.
And is projected to be in service for another fifty years, IIRC. Something to be said for not fixing things that aren’t broken.
I mean, yes but also it’s because they’ve already been built and are cheap to perform maintenance on. They’ve been replaced with the B-2 Spirit when it comes to most active bombing missions. The B-52 would likely only be used in situations where there’s no threat from ground or air-based anti-aircraft weapons.
Update (sorry for the twitter link):
https://twitter.com/Euan_MacDonald/status/1684252582452002823
Whole of country on air raid alert, but it’s gone very quiet now. Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat has just said on TV that the target of the Russian attack was Starokonstantinov air base in Khmelnytsky Oblast.
Second update:
https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-07-26-23/index.html
#Ukraine intercepts 40 Russian missiles, Ukrainian air force says
From CNN’s Mariya Knight and Svitlana Vlasova
The Ukrainian Air Force says it intercepted 40 Russian missiles Wednesday.
“A total of 36 missiles were launched from eight Tu-95MS strategic bombers,” the Ukrainian air force said, adding that all 36 were destroyed.
The destroyed targets included three Kalibr cruise missiles and 33 X-101/X-555 cruise missiles, it said.
“The missiles entered Ukrainian airspace from the southeast and headed west, constantly changing direction,” the statement said. In addition, four Kh-47 Kinzhal missiles were fired from MiG-31K fighter jets toward the Khmelnytskyi region, according to the air force.
Serhii Tiurin, first deputy head of the Khmelnytskyi regional military administration, said the attack was repelled and debris from the missiles fell on settlements of the Khmelnytskyi district.
“According to the available information, there are no casualties at the moment,” Tiurin said.
