Russia Redeploys Scarce Tu-160 Bombers As Far As Possible From Ukraine After Sustained Attacks on Primary Base

<p >The Russian Aerospace Forces have redeployed Tu-160 strategic bombers from Engels-2 Airbase located just 500 kilometres behind the Ukrainian frontlines, to one of its easternmost facilities just 500 kilometres from the U.S. state of Alaska. At least two of the aircraft were seen at Anadyr Airbase, located over 6,600 kilometres from Ukraine. With the bombers being equipped with 5000 kilometre range Kh-101/102 cruise missiles, however, they will still be able to take part in precision strikes on targets on Ukrainian territory, as well as across Europe, with the aircraft’s own ranges by many estimates being the longest of any combat jets in the world. Th decision to redeploy the bombers follows sustained Ukrainian attacks on their primary operational facility, Engels-2 Airbase, including a <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/ukraine-successful-attack-russia-bomber-facility" >successful strike</a> on June 6 which resulted in a major fire. This attack occurred five days after <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/ukraine-most-successful-strike-russian-bomber-bases" >coordinated drone operations</a> using fleets of AI-driven aircraft infiltrated deep into Russia struck bomber bases across the country, <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/how-damaged-russian-bomber-ukraine-drone-attack" >causing serious losses</a> among the Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 bomber fleets.</p><p ><img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2025/06/08/article_68461bcf738fa0_69841643.jpeg" title="Satellite Footage of Tu-160 Bombers at Anadyr Airbase (Airvector)"></p><p >It remains uncertain what portion of the Tu-160 fleet was redeployed to Anadyr Airbase, or the extent to which Ukrainian attacks on facilities further west influenced the decision. Bombers frequently deploy to bases across Russia for exercises and shows of force in peacetime, although the timing of the latest deployment has fuelled speculation that it may at least partly be a response to ensure the aircraft’s security. Engels-2 Airbase has been successfully targeted multiple times by Ukrainian forces, albeit never with a confirmed kill against bombers based there. On January 8 a Ukrainian long range drone strike <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/ukraine-major-blow-russia-strategic-bomber-fleet" >successfully targeted</a> the Kombinat Kristall fuel depot near the facility, with the attack  reported to have destroyed reserves of T-8V high-density specialised aviation fuel used by the Tu-160 fleet. Subsequently on March 20 a drone attack caused a <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/ukraine-successful-strike-key-hub-russian-tu160-fleet" >major explosion</a> at the facility. These strikes were far from unprecedented, with three attacks on Engels-2 having been launched in December 2022 alone. </p><p ><img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2025/06/08/article_68461c41772967_35204277.jpeg" title="Tu-160 Bombers at Engels Airbase"></p><p >The Tu-160 is by far the highest value combat aircraft fielded by the Russian Armed Forces, and has from 2015 received considerable investment from the Defence Ministry to resume production. The termination of production after the USSR’s disintegration, the subsequent destruction of many of the aircraft inherited by Ukraine due to Western pressure in the 1990s, and crashes in Russia that followed, means only 16 Soviet built Tu-160s are in service, falling far short of the fleet of 70 the Russian Aerospace Forces plan to field. Production was <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/boosting-tu160m-bombers-70strong" >reported in January 2023 </a>to be set to undergo significant expansion, after the first new Tu-160M bomber having <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/russia-first-post-soviet-bomber-tu160" >made its first flight </a>in January 2022. Major losses to the Tu-95MS strategic bomber fleet as a result of Ukrainian attacks on June 1 have only further increased the urgency of both preserving the newer Tu-160 fleet and ensuring the smooth operationalisation of the 54 planned new aircraft. Procurements may be further expanded should the <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/ukraine-attack-accelerate-pakda-bomber" target="_blank">PAK DA next generation bomber</a> program, which is already very far behind schedule, faces further delays or cancellation. </p>