Satellite images by the AviVector monitoring resource have become publicly available, which allow us to count the number of available strategic bombers of the Tu-22M3, Tu-95MS and Tu-160 types and accompanying aircraft at Olenya and Engels airbases as of March 11, 2025.
However, these images just allow us to generally estimate the number of strategic bombers at the airbases used by the russian federation to launch massive strikes on Ukraine.
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In particular, at the time of the shooting, two strategic bombers of the Tu-95MS and Tu-160 types, one Tu-154M (probably a "VIP aircraft" from the aviation of the russian Ministry of Defense), two Il-76 transport aircraft as well as four Su-34 bombers were stationed at the Engels airbase.
It is also possible to assess the dynamics at the Engels airbase compared to the previous month. As of February 20, 2025, five Tu-95MS, one Tu-160 as well as one Il-76 military transport aircraft were stationed at this russian airbase.
The next day, February 21, 2025, there were already four Tu-95MS, one Tu-160 and one military transport aircraft of the An-124 type (the appearance of this type of transport aircraft at the Engels airbase was recorded for the first time in a long period).
If we analyze the images of the Olenya air base as of March 11, 2025, 10 strategic Tu-95MS bombers, as many as 35 Tu-22M3 aircraft, five An-12 aircraft, three Tu-134UBL strategic aviation training aircraft, as well as four Mi-8 helicopters were recorded there.
Of particular interest is the fact that russians decided to concentrate so many Tu-22M3 bombers at one air base - the lion's share of the fleet of 50 bombers of this type available in russia. It should be noted that the five An-12 aircraft mentioned above could equally well have been used to deliver cruise missiles for russian strategic bombers, or be related to the search and rescue aircraft of the Northern Fleet of the russian federation.
In total, as of March 11, the russians had a total of 35 Tu-22M3 bombers, 12 Tu-95MS, and two Tu-160s at Engels and Olenya airfields.
However, even with this data, it is currently impossible to determine exactly how many of these aircraft the enemy will actually be able to use for new strikes on Ukraine, as well as how many cruise missiles could be launched.
As Defense Express reported earlier, Fuel Destroyed by AFU Near Engels Airfield Could Provide 900 Combat Missions for Tu-22M3 Strategic Bombers.
Read more: Long-Range Kamikaze Drones of Ukraine's Defense Forces Attack Aviation Plant in Kazan, Producing Tu-160 and Tu-22M3 Strategic Bombers
