Russia covers its nuclear bombers with TYRES in bid to protect them from Ukrainian drones

Russia has begun covering its Tu-95 nuclear bombers with car tires in a bizarre attempt to protect them from Ukrainian drones.

Satellite imagery shows the Bear attack aircraft at Engels-2 Air Force Base in the Saratov region decorated with bands.

The base was hit in two attacks by Ukrainian drones in December, after which Vladimir Putin was forced to move some strategic Tu-95 bombers to other air bases.

The planes are an important part of its nuclear strike force, but have been used to devastate Ukraine with conventional weapons during the current war.

While the reason for covering the wings and part of the upper fuselage in this way is not entirely clear, the most likely theory is that the car tires are used to protect the valuable bombers from attack by kamikaze drones. a report. on the website of The Aviationist.

The planes are an important part of his nuclear strike force, but have been used during the current war to devastate Ukraine with conventional weapons (file image of the Tu-95 nuclear bomber)

The base was hit in two attacks by Ukrainian drones in December, after which Vladimir Putin was forced to move some strategic Tu-95 bombers to other air bases.

The purpose could be to absorb the impact of drones or to protect fuel tanks on the hulking planes.

The move comes after two recent alleged Ukrainian attacks on Russian warplanes.

In one of these, at Pskov, four Il-76 transporters were put out of action, with two aircraft beyond repair after they went up in flames.

In addition, Kiev claimed to have damaged four Su-30 fighter jets, one MiG-29 fighter jet, two Pantsir-S1 short-range air defense systems and a radar coupled to an S-300 long-range surface-to-air missile system. in an attack in Kursk with aerial drones made of cardboard.

But experts question the effectiveness of the tire strategy.

The tires do not completely cover the wings and body, so Ukrainian drones can still cause damage.

“The drone could be guided to detonate below the surface of the wing and still cause the total loss of the aircraft,” the report said.

Last but not least, tires are flammable, although they require a high temperature to burn.

“However, if you keep many tires in the same place and the conditions for combustion are there, they can be a hazard.

Satellite imagery revealed Russian bombers armed with cruise missiles at the airport for a likely attack on Ukraine’s energy grid in November

Engels-2 is home to the 121st and 184th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiments, which respectively operate the Russian Aerospace Forces Tu-160M ​​Blackjack and Tu-95M Bear strategic bombers (file image)

“When tires catch fire, they burn with intense heat and produce noxious smoke.”

Engels-2 is home to the 121st and 184th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiments, which operate the Russian Aerospace Forces Tu-160M ​​Blackjack and Tu-95M Bear strategic bombers, respectively.

The base has been used for many air strikes in Moscow with deadly Kh-101 cruise missiles.

It is located about 700 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

Up to eight Tu-95s and four Tu-160Ms have been spotted at Engel-2.

On December 5, Ukraine hit the base and damaged two Tu-95s, while on December 26, a repeated attack took place that killed three Russian officers.

The Tu-95s are the world’s only propeller-driven nuclear bombers.

They first flew some 70 years ago, but remain an integral part of Russia’s nuclear arsenal.