Ukraine conflict: Russia relocates bombers to Far East as Ukraine targets western bases

A file photo of a Tu-95 ‘Bear’ bomber. Due to recent attacks on Engels-2 airbase in western Russia, Tu-95s stationed there have reportedly been relocated to Ukrainka-Seryshevo airbase in the Far East region of the country. (Crown Copyright)

Russia has reportedly relocated some of its strategic bomber aircraft to the Far East region of the country following Ukrainian strikes on its western airbases.

As many as six Tupolev Tu-95 ‘Bear’ aircraft from Russian Aerospace Forces’ (VKS’) Long-Range Aviation (LRA) are reported by Ukrainian government sources to have been transferred from Engels-2 airbase to Ukrainka-Seryshevo airbase, following two attacks in recent weeks.

While Engels-2 is 600 km east of Ukrainian-controlled territory, Ukrainka-Seryshevo is approximately 6,000 km away and closer to Japan than to Ukraine. The base in the Amur Oblast region of Russia is home to the 326th Heavy Bomber Division, 182nd Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment that also fields the Tu-95, although typically for operations in the Pacific region.