Russia amasses strategic bombers in Siberia, raising global alarms
The analysis of satellite images of the Belyaya base has revealed that the Russians have amassed as many as 42 Tu-22M3 bombers there. Analysts from Defence Express indicate that this constitutes over 80 per cent of the entire Russian fleet of this type of aircraft, whilst also suggesting possible reasons for such alarming and unannounced moves.
Considering other recent movements of the Russian air force, Defence Express analysts note that Russia has concentrated a significant portion of its entire strategic air fleet at the Belyaya base. It is located in Eastern Siberia, about 85 kilometres from Irkutsk.
Suspicious movements of Russian bombers
In addition to the Tu-22M3s, there are also other bombers stationed at the Belyaya base - seven Tu-95MS and seven Tu-160. Military analysts consider gathering such a large number of strategic aircraft in one location to be very unusual.
Additionally, 26 MiG-31 aircraft were registered at the aforementioned base in the first half of May, including some MiG-31K versions, which can carry Kh-47 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. Furthermore, transport aircraft such as the An-26, An-12, and An-124 are also currently present at the Belyaya base. The Russians likely use these to transport some of their most dangerous arsenal, including cruise missiles.
The aim of Russian activities
Changes in the number of aircraft at the Belyaya base are frequent, but the current scale of movements is exceptionally large. According to analysts, such a concentration of strategic bombers in one place may be intended to confuse Ukraine and the West about the operational strategy of the Russian air force. Such manoeuvres could increase the chances of success in future attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure.
The Belyaya base is located about 4,502 kilometres from Ukraine. This means that Ukrainians cannot attack it with their long-range weapons. They have already targeted many Russian sites, but mainly those located no further than 1,000 kilometres from the border. Earlier this year, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that a new drone with a range of 3,000 kilometres was successfully tested. However, even its potential deployment will not threaten the Belyaya base.
