Russian 'bear' bombers at Olenia base raise NATO concerns
According to the Bulgarian Military website, additional Tu-95MS bombers have appeared at the Olenia airbase. These aircraft can carry destructive weaponry, and their relocation to this base "escalates concerns about Moscow's military intentions."
The Olenia base is located on the Kola Peninsula, close to (just 150 kilometres) NATO borders, while also being approximately 1,800 kilometres from Ukrainian territory.
More bombers at Olenia base
An analysis of the latest satellite images revealed that there are currently five Tu-95MS bombers, five An-12 transport aircraft, and 38 Tu-22M3 bombers. Comparing this state to the previous one, the Russians have relocated two Tu-95MS bombers here, most likely from the Belaya airbase in Siberia.
Bulgarian Military recalls that the Olenia airbase has a rich history as a key hub in Russian military infrastructure, and since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, it has become the main launch point for Russian strategic aviation striking Ukrainian targets.
Dangerous Russian "bears"
The Tu-95MS bombers are often referred to as Russian "bears," which derives from their NATO code name Bear. Although they have been in service for over 70 years, they still remain an effective platform for carrying various types of arsenal. They are capable of carrying loads weighing up to 20,000 kilograms. These can include cruise missiles (including the Kh-101 with a range of up to 4,500 kilometres), as well as conventional and nuclear bombs.
An important feature of these bombers is also their range, which is about 12,000 kilometres (they are adapted for in-flight refuelling). Due to the four NK-12 turboprop engines, these threatening Russian machines achieve a maximum speed of over 800 kilometres per hour.
