Russia covers its nuclear bombers with TIRES to protect them from Ukrainian drones
- Satellite Images Show Tu-95 Nuclear Bombers With Car Tires On The Wings
Russia has begun covering its Tu-95 nuclear bombers with car tires in a bizarre attempt to protect them from Ukrainian drones.
Satellite images show the Bear attack aircraft at the Engels-2 airbase in the Saratov region, decorated with tires.
The base was hit by Ukrainian drones in two strikes in December, after which Vladimir Putin was forced to relocate some Tu-95 strategic bombers to other airbases.
The planes are a key part of its nuclear strike force, but have been used to inflict massacre on Ukraine with conventional weapons during the current war.
“Although the reason for covering the wings and part of the upper part of the fuselage in this way is not entirely clear, the most likely theory is that car tires are used to protect valuable bombers from attacks carried out with kamikaze drones,” says one report. on The Aviationist website.
Russia has begun covering its Tu-95 nuclear bombers with car tires in an apparent attempt to protect them from Ukrainian drones.
The planes are a key part of its nuclear strike force, but have been used to inflict massacre on Ukraine with conventional weapons during the current war (file image of Tu-95 nuclear bomber).
The base was hit by Ukrainian drones in two strikes in December, after which Vladimir Putin was forced to relocate some Tu-95 strategic bombers to other airbases.
The objective may be to absorb the impact of the drones or protect the fuel tanks of the huge planes.
The move comes after two recent alleged Ukrainian attacks on Russian warplanes.
In one, in Pskov, four Il-76 transporters were put out of action and two aircraft were rendered beyond repair after being engulfed in flames.
Separately, Kiev claimed to have damaged four Su-30 fighter jets, one MiG-29 fighter jet, two Pantsir-S1 short-range air defense systems and a radar linked to a long-range surface-to-air missile system. S-300. in an attack on Kursk with aerial drones made of cardboard.
But experts question the effectiveness of the tire strategy.
The tires do not fully cover the wings and bodywork, so Ukrainian drones could still cause damage.
“The drone could be guided to detonate below the wing surface and still cause the total loss of the aircraft,” the report says.
‘Last but not least, tires are flammable, although they need a high temperature to burn.
‘However, when many tires are stored in the same place and the conditions for combustion exist, they can become a hazard.
Satellite images revealed that Russian bombers at the airport were being armed with cruise missiles for a likely attack on Ukraine’s energy grid in November.
Engels-2 is home to the 121st and 184th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiments, respectively operating the Tu-160M Blackjack and Tu-95M Bear strategic bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces (file image)
“When tires catch fire, they burn with intense heat and produce noxious smoke.”
Engels-2 is home to the 121st and 184th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiments, respectively operating the Tu-160M Blackjack and Tu-95M Bear strategic bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces.
The base has been used for many of Moscow’s airstrikes with deadly Kh-101 cruise missiles.
It is about 435 miles from the Ukrainian border.
Up to eight Tu-95 and four Tu-160M have been sighted in Engel-2.
On December 5, Ukraine attacked the base, damaging two Tu-95s, while on December 26 there was a new attack that led to the death of three Russian officers.
The Tu-95s are the world’s only propeller-driven nuclear bombers.
They first flew about 70 years ago, but remain an integral part of Russia’s nuclear arsenal.
