The recent Ukrainian strike on the Engels-2 airbase in Russia shows the value that Kyiv places on taking the Tu-95 out of action—and how their continued operation threatens Ukraine.
Recent news coming out of the ongoing Ukraine War suggests that the Russian Engels-2 airbase from where powerful nuclear-armed Tu-160 and Tu-95 long-range strategic bombers (NATO reporting name “Bear”) was bombed by the Ukrainian military.
Fires and explosions erupted across the strategic base last week, prompting concerns that the Ukrainians were risking the detonation of whatever nuclear weapons were stored at that base—or at least being extremely cavalier about the prospect. Two Tu-95s and a Tu-22 were damaged in the Ukrainian attack, though Moscow insists that there were no nuclear weapons present at the time.
The Tu-95 stands as one of the most enduring symbols of Soviet military aviation. Introduced in the 1950s, this long-range strategic bomber remains a bedrock of the Russian Air Force, a testament to its robust design and adaptability.
The Tu-95’s Specifications
Four massive Kuznetsov NK-12 turboprop engines power the Tu-95, granting it impressive range, payload capacity, and speed—at least for a propeller-driven aircraft. Like so many Russian systems, the Tu-95’s design is a blend of innovation and practicality. This silver leviathan has swept-back wings that provide aerodynamic efficiency, while its massive fuselage can carry a variety of powerful payloads—including both nuclear and conventional bombs and, in more recent variants, cruise missile versions of conventional nuclear weapons.
The aircraft’s airframe is constructed primarily of aluminum and is both lightweight and durable, contributing to its longevity. Indeed, the decision to use aluminum was a highly cost-effective one by the Tupolev Design Bureau during the dark days of Josef Stalin’s reign, considering that Russia’s vast interior is home to the world’s fifth-largest reserves of rare earth metals, including aluminum.
When looking at the sky in Eurasia, it would not be hard to identify a Tu-95 passing overhead. The long, slender fuselage, the plane’s four towering engines, and its roaring eight-bladed propellers, makes it instantly recognizable even to laymen. Of the Tu-95’s iconic physical features, its roaring engines are among the most noticeable. Contra-rotating propellers spin at supersonic speeds at their tips, generating a sound so loud that it can be detected by submarines underwater when the aircraft flies at low altitudes.
Much like the screeching Nazi Luftwaffe Junkers 87 “Stuka” dive bombers of the Second World War, the Russians have maintained the soul-shattering noise of their Tu-95 bombers because the psychological effect on enemies when hearing these planes outweighs whatever strategic deficit is created from their detection in combat settings. The noise, in this case, is the point.
Earlier models of this iconic plane, such as the Tu-95M, were pure bombers but subsequent variants, like the Tu-95K and Tu-95MS were adapted to carry advanced weaponry, including the Kh-20 air-to-surface missile and later the Kh-55 and Kh-101/102 cruise missiles. The Tu-142, a maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) derivative, further expanded the platform’s utility, showcasing its adaptability to diverse roles.
From Stalin to Putin: The Tu-95 in Action
A product of Stalin’s Soviet Union, these silver, thundering bombers entered service at a time when tensions in the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States were escalating. Its primary mission was to serve as a nuclear deterrent, capable of delivering atomic payloads on American soil. Indeed, throughout the Cold War, the Tu-95s frequently conducted long-range patrols near NATO airspace, often being intercepted by Western fighters such as the F-4 Phantom II or F-15 Eagle.
While tense, these encounters rarely escalated beyond posturing, serving as a ritual of superpower rivalry.
Modernized Tu-95 variants such as the powerful Tu-95MS have been deployed in conflicts such as the Syrian Civil War, launching cruise missiles against targets from thousands of miles away. These operations demonstrate the aircraft’s continued relevance in an era dominated by jet-powered bombers and drones.
Once a Cold War era relic, the Russian Air Force has judiciously maintained this legendary bomber to keep it relevant to the demands of 21st century warfare—notably in the skies over Ukraine.
The Tu-95 Rains Terror on Ukraine
Today, Moscow has the Tu-95s conducting missile raids targeting key Ukrainian infrastructure. One might lambast the Russian Armed Forces for their extensive attacks against civilian infrastructure, but targeting civilian infrastructure hubs has long been a tactic employed by almost all modern militaries in war—including Ukraine itself, which has bombed civilian infrastructure in Moscow and Saint Petersburg in an attempt to awaken the Russian people to the costs of war.
The Tu-95 is a key player in the decimation of Ukraine’s infrastructure. Moscow believes that if its forces can debilitate Ukraine’s infrastructure, it will force Kyiv to surrender. Thus far, the bombing has not had that effect. Nevertheless, the recent Ukrainian strike on the Engels-2 airbase in Russia shows the value that Kyiv places on taking the Tu-95 out of action—and how their continued operation threatens Ukraine.
And the Russians intend to keep the Tu-95 “Bear” bomber flying until the 2040s, making it essentially the B-52 Stratofortress of Russia. It is a bird that is designed to do a great—and awful—thing. But it performs its mission well, as generations of Russian pilots—now and in the future—can attest.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / Mikhail Syritsa.
