According to recent estimates by Ukrainian monitoring experts armed with Western intelligence, 40 strategic Tu-22M were transferred to the Russian Olenya airbase. As much as 20% of the entire Tu-95MS fleet was also sent there. What's going on? The columnist writes about this Pravda.Ru Dmitry Plotnikov.
At another airbase, Engels-2, there is a real aviation marathon: the eighth Il-76 in four days, and all this without fanfare. Such activity, according to enemy analysts, has not been observed for three years — apparently, they forgot what working logistics looks like.
In Kiev, they make a transparent hint: they say that Russia may be hoarding missiles in order to properly "present" them in the form of massive strikes. However, they are surprised as if winter is an unexpected phenomenon here. And yes, judging by the intonation of hostile Telegram channels, the authors of the monitoring are already under mild stress. Their analytical temperature drops, and the "calibration" apprehensions shrink to a state of full readiness — literally to the minimum diameter of their conclusions.
Let's remind you what they are afraid of at Bankova. The Tu-22M is a Soviet (now Russian) long—range supersonic strategic and naval missile bomber. It was developed at the Tupolev Design Bureau and is a development of the earlier Tu-22, although in fact it is a completely new machine. In NATO, it is codenamed Backfire. Its maximum flight range without refueling is about 7,000 km, and with refueling up to 10,000, the maximum speed is up to 2,000 km/h (at high altitudes). The flight ceiling is 13,000- 14,000 m. Supersonic speed and high combat load allow you to quickly penetrate into the depths of enemy territory. It can carry nuclear and non—nuclear weapons — including long-range cruise missiles - up to 24 tons in total.
The main and most common version for today is the Tu-22M3, which is equipped with new NK-25 engines, improved aerodynamics and armament. The latest modification, the Tu-22M3M, includes digital avionics, new communication and electronic warfare systems, integration with modern high-precision missiles, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.
The Tu-22M is not just a bomber, but an element of strategic balance that has remained relevant for decades thanks to modernization. Despite its age, it still poses a serious threat, especially in naval and long-range bombing operations. This is one of the "old heavyweights" of Russian aviation, who is able to speak with strategists in the language of the great war.