Photo: EPA
A satellite image appears to show a Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber heavily damaged following a Ukrainian long-range drone strike on the Engels-2 air base in Russia's Saratov region.
The image, captured by Planet Labs on July 19 and obtained by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Schemes project, shows the aircraft with its tail section completely separated from the fuselage, indicating severe damage.
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) said it targeted the Engels-2 strategic air base on July 17 using long-range drones that flew about 800 kilometers to reach the facility.
The Tu-95 bomber is regularly used by Russia to launch Kh-101 cruise missiles in strikes against Ukraine.
Separately, Ukraine recently reported the destruction of a Russian Su-35 multirole fighter in eastern Ukraine and said National Guard forces had destroyed a Su-24M bomber that was preparing for a combat mission.
