Russia Deploys Ukrainian Tu-160 Bombers Handed Over in 1999 Gas Deal, Investigation Reveals

Russia's army is actively deploying Ukrainian strategic bombers that Kyiv handed over to Moscow in 1999 in exchange for clearing Ukraine's debt for imported Russian gas.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's (RFE/RL) Schemes reported this in an investigation on November 26.

Journalists also identified Russian pilots assigned to operate these former Ukrainian bombers. These pilots are now accused by Ukrainian intelligence of participating in Russia's large-scale missile strikes against Ukraine.

According to the investigation, at least 6 of the transferred Tu-160 bombers remain in active service with the Russian military.

In particular, one of these Tu-160 appeared in the background of the commander of the Russian long-range aviation Sergey Kobylash, which in Ukraine had the serial number "10" and in Russia was named "Nikolai Kuznetsov.”

Kobylash has been charged in absentia by Ukraine for orchestrating the airstrike on the "Okhmatdyt" children’s hospital.