Ukrainian drones destroyed a Russian Tu-95 bomber: details of the operation

17.07.2026, 16:59 visitukraine.today

There is one fewer enemy missile carrier less than 800 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The SBU successfully attacked a Tu-95 strategic bomber at the Engels airbase, inflicting critical damage on it. Find out all the details of this special operation

The Security Service of Ukraine destroyed a Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber at the Engels military airfield. These aircraft are used by the Russian Armed Forces to launch missile strikes against Ukrainian territory.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy officially confirmed the successful attack. According to him, the operation was carried out by the SBU. Drones traveled approximately 800 kilometers from the state border to strike the target.

The Security Service provided details on the results of the strike. The Russian aircraft sustained critical damage: its tail section was completely destroyed.

In addition to the attack on the airbase, on the same day the Ukrainian Defense Forces carried out strikes against Russian oil industry facilities and also conducted strikes against military targets in the temporarily occupied territories.

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The SBU emphasized the practical outcome of the operation. Taking even a single strategic aircraft of this class out of commission directly impacts security. The destroyed Tu-95 means dozens of missiles that will no longer be launched at Ukrainian cities—and lives saved. For Russia, the loss of the bomber represents irreparable losses amounting to tens of millions of dollars.

Reminder! The reshuffle of the Cabinet of Ministers resulted in radical changes in the country’s military leadership due to a management crisis. The president approved the resignation of the defense minister amid his systemic disagreements with the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Find out the real reasons behind Mykhailo Fedorov’s resignation.

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