Tu-95: what is known about the aircraft from which Russia regularly attacks Ukraine.
The morning of November 11 became quite tense for Ukrainians, as monitoring reports indicated a possible missile attack involving Tu-95 bombers. No fewer than 13 of these aircraft were detected in the air, but they have since moved away from their launch positions. Overall, Ukraine regularly suffers from attacks by this aviation.
"Telegraf" decided to explain what makes the Tu-95 aircraft so notable and how serious a threat they pose. According to "24 Channel," as of 2022, Russia had around 60 Tu-95 aircraft (45 units of the MS modification and 18 of the MSM). However, journalists note that the actual number of combat-ready bombers of this type in Russia is significantly lower, amounting to only about three dozen aircraft.
Interestingly, a portion of these bombers (3 units) are actually Ukrainian. Our state transferred them to the aggressor country in the 1990s along with the Tu-22 and Tu-160.
What is the Tu-95
This is a strategic bomber and missile carrier developed during the USSR era. It was designed during the Cold War for delivering nuclear weapons over long distances. In the modern world, it is also used to deliver conventional cruise missiles. For instance, the X-101 missiles, with a range of 5,500 km, enable the Tu-95 to strike targets beyond the reach of any air defense systems. This is precisely what Russia is doing in its war against Ukraine.
Main Characteristics of the Tu-95
- crew – 7 people,
- weight of the loaded aircraft – 190 tons,
- maximum speed – 830 kilometers per hour,
- power – 15 thousand horsepower;
- combat radius – 6500 kilometers,
- flight range – 13 thousand kilometers;
- can carry up to 8 missiles simultaneously.
The approximate price of a Tu-95 is over 26 million dollars.
Recall that we previously reported on what is known about the submarine "Rostov-on-Don," which was destroyed in Sevastopol.