An operation by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has hit "more than 40" Russian bombers at air bases "in the rear of the Russian Federation," a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent on June 1.

"Enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia — this is the result of a special operation by the SBU," the source said.

Video provided by the source shows what appears to be a row of heavy bomber aircraft on fire at an undisclosed location.

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[–] 115 points 1 year ago (3 children)

According to world directory of modern aircraft, this comprises 33% of Russian bomber fleet of 120: https://www.wdmma.org/russian-air-force.php. Not the entire fleet, but a significant loss for Russia.

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  • [–] 55 points 1 year ago

    Losing 1/3 of your bombers in one attack means you're going to be a lot more careful with the remaining ones though. They lost a significant chunk of their reactionary forces in one go.

    Russia has already been fighting a lot longer than they planned and have taken much heavier losses. The only reason they're still going at all is Putin's ego and inability to admit any mistakes.

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