Beriev A-50 “Mainstay”
Russia’s flying radar and command post.
Acts as an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.
Tracks aircraft, cruise missiles, and more at long distances.
Coordinates fighter jets and air defenses like the S-400.
Vital for situational awareness, but Russia has very few—making each one irreplaceable.

Tupolev Tu-95 “Bear”
A Cold War icon, still a nuclear threat.
Long-range strategic bomber and cruise missile carrier.
Core part of Russia’s nuclear triad and used in conventional strikes.
Known for extreme range (up to 15,000 km) and modernization to extend service.
Frequently used to signal power near NATO airspace.

Tupolev Tu-22M3 “Backfire”
Russia’s supersonic strike workhorse.
Designed for land-attack and anti-ship missions.
Can carry nuclear or conventional weapons like Kh-22/Kh-32 missiles.
Fast, maneuverable, and heavily used in conflicts from Syria to Ukraine.
Modernized version (Tu-22M3M) is in limited service.

Together, these three aircraft form the backbone of Russia’s strategic air power—spanning surveillance, long-range bombing, and precision strike capabilities.

Losses in this fleet would deeply impair Russia’s global reach and deterrence.

President Zelensky personally oversaw the mission, with SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk leading execution.

Sources say the complex logistics involved smuggling FPV drones and mobile wooden cabins into Russia. The drones were hidden under remote-controlled roofs on trucks. When triggered, the roofs opened and kamikaze drones launched toward Russian bombers.

SBU insiders stress that all operatives involved are already safely back in Ukraine. Any arrests by Russian authorities will likely be staged for domestic propaganda.