Tu-95 long-range strategic bombers from the Olenya base in the Murmansk region played a key role in the massive attack on Ukrainian cities on 29th of December. Photo from video by the Defense Ministry

Bombers from Kola Peninsula take center stage in terror bombing of Ukraine

A group of nine Tu-95MS strategic bombers early Friday morning took off from the Olenya air base and few hours later fired its deadly load on civilian targets across Ukraine.
December 29, 2023

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The Ukrainian Air Force at 2.30 am Friday reported about the approaching threat. In a Telegram message, the authority called on people to be on the alert.

“Warning! The takeoff of nine Tu-95MS aircraft from the “Olenya” airfield (Murmansk region) is recorded. In the event of a missile threat and cruise missile launches, we will notify you in addition. Don’t ignore airborne alarms!”

 

Warning issued by the Ukrainian Air Force early morning 29th of December.

 

The bombers from the north Russian air base were part of the massive attack that created devastation across the neighbouring country.

At least 16 people were killed and about 100 injured as missiles hit civilian buildings and infrastructure in a number of Ukrainian towns and cities.

“Today, Russia used nearly every type of weapon in its arsenal: “Kindzhals,” S-300s, cruise missiles, and drones. Strategic bombers launched X-101/X-505 missiles. A total of around 110 missiles were fired against Ukraine, with the majority of them being shot down,” Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy said in a statement on X.

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Among the targets for the Russians were a maternity ward, educational facilities, a shopping mall, multi-story residential buildings and private homes, a commercial storage, and a parking lot.

 

Video posted by President Volodomyr Zelenskyy on X shows massive damage to civilian buildings and infrastructure.

 

Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and other cities were attacked, the President informs.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, as many as 87 missiles and 27 drones were shot down by air defence.

A total of 44 Russian missiles and drones hit targets in their targets.

The far northern airbase of Olenya played a key role in the violent attack. The base is located outside the town of Olenegorsk, Kola Peninsula, only about 150 km from the border to Finland.

The Olenya base has become more important for the Russians as Ukraine has shown itself capable of attacking targets across central parts of Russia. In August, the Russian Air Force moved several strategic bombers to the northern base following a Ukrainian attack on the Soltsy-2 air base in Novgorod.

After Finland joined the Alliance on April 4, US surveillance aircraft have on several occasions had missions in the country’s northern airspace with a clear view towards the Olenya air base to the east. 

 

 

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