Images have emerged on social media showing the aftermath of an attack on Soltsy air base, where Tu-22M3 bombers are based. These aircraft are equipped to carry Kh-22 and Kh-32 missiles and have been utilized for sorties, targeting the area near Mariupol with high-capacity bombs.
The images vividly display Tu-22M3 bombers engulfed in flames. The focal point of these images is the aircraft’s nose section, lying on the ground, indicating the destruction of the fuselage’s central portion due to fire. This marks a definitive and irreparable loss of a significant asset for the russia. The challenge lies in the fact that despite the official count of approximately 60 Tu-22M3 bombers in the russian fleet, not all of them are operational.
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The attack took place on August 19, around 10 o’clock in the morning. According to statements of russia, the attack involved quadcopter-type drones, which means they were launched relatively close to the airbase itself. The Ministry of Defense of russia also promptly reported that one aircraft sustained damage as a result of the attack.
Two noticeable aspects stand out in the photos. Firstly, the evident size of the flames strongly suggests that the aircraft was loaded with fuel. Secondly, the presence of crew access stairs is prominent, implying that measures were in place for the crew to reach the cockpit.
Hence, it can be assumed that the attack caught the enemy during the preparations for takeoff. It’s also worth noting that unverified information suggests that two aircraft might have been hit during the attack. However, as of now, there’s photographic evidence of only one destroyed aircraft.
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