As a result of heightened activity at this airbase and a concentration of strategic bombers and cruise missiles, experts believe that a fresh round of devastating airstrikes will be launched against Ukraine.
Signal from satellite
Satellite photographs, in particular, reveal a sharp surge in activity at the Russian airbase Engels-2, along with the arrival of the potent Tu-160 and Tu-95 strategic bombers. atomic bombing force According to independent and Ukrainian experts, there is a chance that Russia will carry out a significant airstrike on Ukrainian soil.
Based on satellite footage supplied by Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs, the German journal Der Spiegel was the first to document increased activity at the Engels-2 site.
About 20 missile-carrying aircraft, including Tu-160 and Tu-95 strategic bombers, can be seen on the runway in the November 28 photo.
Experts note a significant level of activity at Engels-2 airport after seeing these satellite pictures.
Der Spiegel quoted independent military analyst Arda Mevlutoglu as saying: “The workers on the field were active, and the long-range bombers were positioned next to the fuel tankers. Ammunition and toolboxes for repairs might be observed in huge numbers “.
Additionally, Mr. Mevlutoglu mentioned the large number of transport planes that were parked at the airport. He believed that these transporters likely gave the bombers their missiles. The satellite photographs also show rocket-carrying vehicles.
Six Kh-55 missiles can fit in each bomb bay of the Tu-160 supersonic strategic bomber. Launchers for the Kh-15P anti-radiation variant of the Kh-15 missile, which has a reported range of 200-280 km, are also installed in the aircraft’s weapons bay.
The MS-6 and MS-16 are two variations of the Tu-95. While the Tu-95MS-16 is capable of transporting 16 Kh-55 missiles deployed externally, the Tu-95MS-6 is outfitted with six Kh-55 missiles in a rotational launch system.
The Kh-55 is a 2,500km-range subsonic cruise missile that is launched from an aeroplane.
It is also possible to modify the Tu-95 to carry eight Kh-101 cruise missiles, which have a range of about 2,500-2,800 kilometers.
heightened alert in Ukraine
About 700 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, Russia’s Engels-2 base is a strategic bomber base. The 184th Heavy Bomber Regiment and the 121st Guards Heavy Bomber Regiment’s headquarters are located here. They fly Tu-160M aircraft (using Tu-95 aircraft).
The only combat base in Russia for Tu-160 strategic bombers is Engels-2. In order to avoid Ukrainian air defence systems, Russia has started attacking Ukrainian sites from outside Ukrainian airspace using aircraft equipped with long-range cruise missiles.
For instance, in June, Russia launched 60 precise cruise missiles into Ukraine from Belarus using six Tu-22M3 aircraft, mostly aiming them towards Kiev and the Chernihiv and Sumy districts.
On December 1, Ukrainian authorities issued a warning regarding airstrikes on their nation’s soil. It is feared that Russia would launch a protracted missile and unmanned aerial vehicle assault on Ukraine.
The border patrol agency of Ukraine stated via the messaging service Telegram: “In Ukraine, an anti-aircraft alarm is in effect go inside the bunker.”
On November 30, Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesman for the Ukrainian air force, also alerted the nation of the rise in Russian activities at the Engels-2 facility and the potential for more frequent Russian airstrikes against Ukraine.
Ihnat stated that Russia’s goal, which is to conduct airstrikes on Ukraine’s vital infrastructure, particularly the energy system, has not changed.
Since October, Russia has routinely launched massive missile and drone attacks with the goal of destroying Ukraine’s electrical infrastructure in light of the impending winter.
On November 23, a previous air raid of this nature occurred. According to Valeriy Zaluzhniy, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Russia launched 67 cruise missiles into Ukraine at the time, 30 of which were directed solely at Kiev.
The Ukraine wants Patriot missiles
In light of the aforementioned circumstance, Kiev is pleading with NATO to expedite the transfer of armaments to them and assist them in restoring the electrical grid.
Officials from the US and NATO have indicated that negotiations to supply Ukraine with Patriot air defence systems are in progress.
In response to Stoltenberg’s remarks, Dmitry Medvedev, vice chairman of the Russian National Security Council, warned that if NATO sent the Patriot missile system to Ukraine, it would become a “legitimate target” of Russia.
An aircraft, ballistic missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can all be intercepted by the medium-range M-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile system. Due to the system’s complexity and difficulty of operation, NATO personnel will need to accompany it.
The US and NATO are apprehensive about giving Ukraine their Patriot air defence system. They worried that if Russia attacked those weapons, it might end up killing NATO service members manning those Patriot batteries.
Additionally, according to Indian military expert Vijainder Thakur, the officers on a US Air Force command plane have the final say in who commands the Patriot batteries. It is possible that Russia will view this aircraft as a legitimate military target and launch a 40N6E or RVV-BD air-to-air missile from the S-400 air defence system to bring it down. World War III could start at that point.
