Russian Tu-160s Strike Ukraine With Cruise Missiles as Aggressor Lacks Tu-95 MSM Bombers
On June 6, 2025, Russia launched a large-scale missile strike against Ukraine, engaging Tu-160 strategic bombers to fire 36 Kh-101 cruise missiles.
The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed the report.
Traditionally, such strikes are carried out using Tu-95 MSM strategic bombers, indicating a notable shift in the aggressor’s operational tactics.
Tu-95MSM is more frequently deployed due to its superior airframe and engine longevity compared to Tu-160.
This extended service life is attributed to several key factors:
- lower operational stress levels,
- a simpler and more maintainable design,
- the use of turboprop engines,
- and its original design purpose for long-endurance patrol missions.
Tu-95 aircraft and their modernized variants typically operate at a cruising speed of approximately 750 km/h at altitudes of 8–10 km. Under these conditions, the airframe and engines experience lower stress and reduced wear compared to Tu-160, which is capable of supersonic flight, significantly increasing structural loads.
Additionally, Tu-160 features a variable-sweep wing design, which incorporates additional mechanisms and components, further complicating its structure and maintenance.
In summary, although Tu-160 is faster and more powerful than Tu-95, it is technically more complex and experiences a significantly shorter operational lifespan.
Moreover, its operation is considerably more expensive—both in terms of aviation fuel and maintenance requirements.
All of this suggests that, following the Security Service of Ukraine’s Operation Spider’s Web, the aggressor is facing a shortage of Tu-95 MSM strategic bombers.
A minimum of eight Tu-95MS (including potential MSM variants) strategic bombers were either destroyed or damaged. Among those identified were:
- RF-94120 Kozelsk (stationed at the Belaya Air Base)
- RF-94132 Voronezh (stationed at the Olenya Air Base)
- RF-94257 Chelyabinsk (stationed at the Olenya Air Base)
- in addition, five more Tu-95 strategic bombers of unspecified configuration were struck at the Belaya and Olenya military air bases, though their exact identities have not yet been confirmed.
It remains unknown which of these bombers were of the MSM variant, as the Russian Federation does not publicly disclose the specific aircraft that have undergone modernization. However, the subsequent use of Tu-160 bombers in recent missile strikes strongly suggests that some of the damaged aircraft were indeed Tu-95MSM, pointing to a potential shortfall in Russia’s upgraded strategic bomber fleet.
