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Russian Tu-95 Missile Carrier Destroyed 800 Km From Ukraine, Zelenskyy Says
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Ukraine’s Security Service destroyed a Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber at the Engels air base, approximately 800 kilometers from Ukraine’s border, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The aircraft had been used to launch Russian missile attacks against Ukraine, according to the President.
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“I am grateful to our warriors for their accuracy,” Zelenskyy wrote, describing the operation as another successful use of Ukraine’s long-range capabilities against Russia.
He said the SBU had destroyed “a Tu-95 military aircraft in Engels that had been used for Russian missile strikes against our country.”
“The distance from our state border is approximately 800 kilometers,” Zelenskyy added.
I am grateful to our warriors for their accuracy. Once again, there have been successful long-range sanctions against Russia for this war. In particular, the Security Service of Ukraine destroyed a Tu-95 military aircraft in Engels that had been used for Russian missile strikes… pic.twitter.com/7nF3BTBzLL
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 17, 2026
Ukraine’s Defense Forces also struck Russian oil industry facilities and designated targets in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territory, according to the president.
“We are defending ourselves justly and proactively,” Zelenskyy said. “We are increasing the price Russia pays for its aggression against our country and our people.”
The Tu-95MS, known by the NATO reporting name Bear-H, is a Soviet-designed strategic bomber and one of Russia’s principal long-range cruise missile carriers.
In the RF, explosions rang out this morning on the territory of the Engels airfield. Local residents report a fire. According to preliminary OSINT data, an aircraft parking area and drone flight paths are on fire. Strategic aviation usually takes off from the Engels airfield to… pic.twitter.com/KNQBI0n89v
— WarTranslated (@wartranslated) July 16, 2026
The aircraft is powered by four Kuznetsov NK-12 turboprop engines with distinctive contra-rotating propellers. It is the only propeller-driven, swept-wing military aircraft still widely used in active service.
The Tu-95MS carries a seven-person crew, has a practical range of roughly 10,500 kilometers, and can reach a maximum speed of approximately 830 kilometers per hour.
With a payload capacity exceeding 20 metric tons, the bomber is designed to launch long-range stand-off weapons used in strikes against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Earlier, a Russian Tu-22M3 long-range bomber crashed in Russia’s Irkutsk region. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the crash, stating that the aircraft was on a training mission. According to the Russian military, the crew ejected and survived.
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-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
-8387ab8b2fad28f5be58d021a975cd08.png "Explosion at the Russian ammunition hub after a Russian air defense steered a Ukrainian drone directly into it, July 2026.")
