(KYIV, UKRAINE) – Ukrainian forces have destroyed another Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber at the Engels-2 air base near Saratov, the second such strike in less than six weeks, according to Ukrainian military sources.
The overnight strike, carried out by Ukrainian drones, removed a large portion of the bomber’s right wing. Satellite imagery confirmed the damage shortly after the attack.
The Engels-2 air base is located approximately 700 kilometres from Ukrainian territory.
The Tu-95, a Soviet era strategic bomber, was built between the 1960s and 1970s and cannot be replaced, as Russia has no production capability for these aircraft.
Current estimates put Russia’s remaining operational heavy strategic bomber fleet at approximately 48 aircraft, comprising 35 Tu-95MS and 13 Tu-160 bombers. Ukrainian intelligence suggests the true operational number may be significantly lower.
Russia has lost 25 long range heavy strategic bombers during the war, with some losses occurring even before the invasion due to crashes and collisions.
For comparison, the United States maintains approximately 140 heavy bombers.
Ukraine also struck the Slavneft-YANOS refinery in Yaroslavl, one of Russia’s five largest refineries, which processes approximately 15 million tonnes of crude annually, equivalent to roughly 300,000 barrels per day.
The refinery’s annual output includes around 4 million tonnes of diesel and 2.6 million tonnes of petrol, representing approximately 5 percent of Russia’s diesel production.
The facility is a particularly important supplier to central Russia and the Moscow region.
The strike on the refinery is expected to add significant pressure to Russia’s already strained domestic fuel market.
Russian social media channels are reporting severe petrol shortages, with drivers advised to bring pillows and blankets when queuing for fuel overnight.
Russian women have posted videos on social media begging for petrol. One woman said she drove to three petrol stations and found mile long queues at each.
Another woman said she filled up at an unknown petrol station for 110 roubles, approximately 1.10 US dollars or 0.85 British pounds per litre, after driving around half the city and finding no fuel anywhere.
Some Russian cities are introducing quota systems, with emergency services and government connected individuals receiving priority access to fuel.
Reports indicate that a “petrol elite” is emerging in some areas, with access to fuel increasingly dependent on government connections.
The Russian agricultural sector is also facing severe disruption. A poll on a Russian grain industry channel showed only 41 percent of farmers intend to plant winter grains, with half of those planning to reduce planted area.
Only 16 percent of farmers said they would plant the same volumes as previous years, while 9 percent said they would not plant at all, and 6 percent cited lack of funds for fertiliser, fuel and salaries.
Russia accounts for approximately 20 percent of global grain exports, and the blockade of Russian ports in the Azov and Black Seas has left grain stacking up in silos.
Global wheat futures have surged in response, with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange showing a significant rise over the past month.
The Russian rouble has also declined sharply, falling from approximately 71 roubles to the US dollar three months ago to 87 roubles today.
In a separate incident, a cargo ship has sunk in Romanian territorial waters after being struck by what is believed to be a Russian incendiary drone.
The vessel was travelling from Ukraine towards Turkey and was carrying containers of sugar and peas. All 12 sailors on board were rescued.
The incident occurred approximately 24 hours after US President Donald Trump said Russia had “behaved quite well.”
In the Russian city of Penza, authorities have issued a statement denying that police officers are detaining men and taking them to military commissariats for dispatch to the front.
The statement said the information “does not correspond to reality” and urged citizens to stop interfering with police officers.
However, local reports indicate that citizen vigilantes are increasingly preventing the detention of men being seized from the streets for military service.
Ukrainian forces have also targeted Ozon, Russia’s second largest logistics company, with annual revenue of 56 billion roubles, approximately 560 million US dollars or 430 million British pounds.
According to a Russian investigative body, 35 percent of Ozon is owned by the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin through intermediary Gennady Timchenko.
Meanwhile, Kremlin press secretary Maria Zakharova has threatened strikes on the United Kingdom, saying that British military targets and equipment in Ukraine and beyond could become legitimate targets.
“Those responsible for war crimes, including against the civilian population of our country, will be punished adequately to their deeds,” she said.
The comments came after CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Moscow, reportedly to warn the Russian dictator against further escalation.
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