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

Nov 27, 2024 11:34

1 min read

Authors: Amira Barkhush
Author

Undated picture shows a supersonic Russian TU-160 "Blackjack" strategic bombers at the airfield in Engels, outside Saratov. (Source: Getty Images)

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.

The commander of the Russian long-range aviation Sergey Kobylash with "Nikolai Kuznetsov" (Tu-160, serial number 10) in the background. (Source: open source)