In Russia, Ukraine concealed attack drones. The events that followed are depicted in these videos.
The Ukrainian army was planning a spectacular attack deep into Russian territory for months, even as its troops were losing ground on the battlefield in Ukraine.
Using remote control, Ukrainian drones emerged from their concealment in Russia on Sunday and started causing havoc. By the time they were finished, there were at least a dozen destroyed military planes.
The attack’s scope is revealed by a New York Times study of satellite photographs and videos.
The Belaya and Olenya airfields were among the sites where strategic bombers were destroyed. According to Russia’s Ministry of Defense, Ukraine struck facilities in five areas in all, while three other sites were successfully defended. Although The Times was unable to confirm those assertions, satellite photos taken on Monday show that none of the planes at two of the other likely target bases were harmed. The third base lacked any recognizable satellite photography or video.
Airbase of Belaya
A video, which was widely shared online and verified by The Times, captures the software that controls the Ukrainian drones during their assault on the Belaya airbase.
From a drone’s perspective, the film shows it soaring above the base towards a row of at least six planes before landing close to a Tupolev Tu-95 bomber.
Two drones are shown launching from containers that look like modular homes put on the back of a nearby semi-truck in a video taken shortly after. Less than four miles away, they head for the smoke columns that are billowing out of the base.
Approximately midway between the semi-truck and Belaya, footage captured from the ground depicts additional drones flying above the base. Their flight route suggests that they might have originated from the general vicinity of the semi.
Later that day, videos captured at the launch location show the containers on fire, with their lids lying on the ground nearby. Ukrainian authorities declared in a statement on Monday that the crates used to transport the drones were set to self-destruct as soon as they were launched.
The Times acquired radar images from Umbra, a space imaging firm that can penetrate cloudy skies, in order to evaluate the harm done to the air base. At least seven strategic bombers seem to have been totally destroyed, most likely three Tupolev Tu-95 bombers and four Tupolev Tu-22M bombers. The drone footage also showed them. The same results were previously reported by geospatial analyst Chris Biggers. The verified destruction at Belaya represents a setback for Russia’s strategy of attacking Ukraine with long-range bombers.
Satellite photographs of the base reveal what appear to be fake planes made of car tires and other components. Over the course of the previous several months, a few of these seemingly anti-drone measures were implemented.
Airfield for olenyas
The Times was able to confirm that the first video of the Olenya air base shows an ongoing assault.
A screen recording of the Ukrainian’s pilot program shows a drone passing two Tu-95 bombers that are on fire. A further explosion strikes another Tu-95. At least three of the damaged Tu-95 bombers have car tires laying next to and on top of their wings, which are obvious defensive precautions.
Footage captured shortly after shows another Tu-95 and an An-12 cargo plane on fire.
A man shot film of drones flying through the air at a gas station around four miles southwest of the base. From a car parked down the street, he says they were launched.
Despite the severe strategic losses Russia suffered as a result of the strikes on Sunday, analysts warned that the Kremlin’s determination to achieve its military objectives seems unchanged.
