Russia Deploys Strategic Bombers Amid Ongoing Drone Attacks
On the morning of April 3, Russia launched its strategic bombers, the Tu-95 and Tu-160, into the sky as drone attacks from the enemy continued, with numerous UAVs reported in the air.
In a significant military development, Russia has deployed its strategic bombers, the Tu-95 and Tu-160, into the air on April 3, 2023. This action coincides with ongoing drone attacks from enemy forces, which have resulted in a substantial presence of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the skies over Ukraine.
The information was confirmed by Colonel Yuriy Ihnat, the head of the communication department of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, during a broadcast on the national telethon. He stated, 'There is information that strategic bombers Tu-95 and 160MS have been launched into the sky, and if there are indeed launches, and missiles appear, we will definitely inform about it.'
Colonel Ihnat elaborated on the nature of the threat, explaining that the attacks from strategic aviation are classic in nature. The enemy is launching missiles from distant positions, specifically from areas near the Caspian Sea, Volgodonsk, or the Volgograd region. 'As is usually the case, it takes several hours for the missiles to reach even the center of our country, so there is time to respond accordingly,' he added, emphasizing the need for the population to understand the dangers posed not only by the drones but also by missiles and the ballistic threat.
On the same day, Ihnat reported that the enemy had already carried out 10 strikes with ballistic missiles targeting frontline regions, particularly in Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv oblasts, resulting in confirmed hits. The Air Force has not yet released detailed information as the attacks are ongoing, and there is a significant number of drones currently in the air.
According to Colonel Ihnat, the affected areas include Kirovohrad, Vinnytsia, and Cherkasy regions, with a large group of UAVs moving southward from Sumy oblast. The spokesperson for the Air Force of Ukraine reported that as of 7:00 AM on that day, approximately 240 drones had been recorded, but by 10:00 AM, the number had surged to over 400 based on updated data. There are also reports of additional launches from various directions.
'Therefore, we are witnessing a repetition of what occurred on March 23-24, when Russian strike drones attacked throughout the day, similarly to the situation from March 31 to April 1,' Ihnat stated, drawing parallels to previous drone assaults that have increasingly threatened Ukrainian airspace.
This escalation in military activity underscores the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with drone warfare becoming a pivotal aspect of the hostilities. The Ukrainian military continues to prepare for potential missile strikes while managing the immediate threat posed by the drone incursions. As the situation develops, officials are urging the public to remain vigilant and informed about the evolving threats in their regions.