Fire at Russian military airport destroys Tu‑134 aircraft
A fire occurred at a military airport in Russia, destroying a Tu-134 aircraft. These facilities, dating back to the Soviet Union era, are used by the management of the Russian Ministry of Defense, among other purposes. This information was shared on Monday, October 14th, by Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR).
According to a statement from HUR shared on Telegram, on the night of October 12-13, 2024, a fire broke out in Russia, destroying a Tu-134 aircraft from the 117th Transport Aviation Regiment, part of the armed forces of the aggressor nation. The fire occurred at the Orenburg-2 military airport, where the aircraft was stationed.
Attack a thousand kilometres from the front
The Ukrainians do not disclose details of the incident. Still, it is worth noting that the strike on the Orenburg-2 airport implies that if the attack originated from the territory of the defending country, an unspecified weapon had to travel over 1,000 kilometres.
Since Moscow began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, arson attacks on military facilities in Russia have become frequent.
Russian Tu-134
The Tu-134 is a medium-range passenger aircraft that gained popularity, especially in the countries of the former Eastern Bloc. Production began in the 1960s, and the aircraft was a mainstay in airlines and many countries' armed forces.
The aircraft from the 1960s does not have a military purpose. It lacks features that would provide it with offensive capabilities. The Tu-134 cannot attack enemy units from the air and is not equipped for aerial reconnaissance as specialized aircraft like the A-50 with special radar are.
The Tu-134 is powered by two Soloviev D-30-II turbofan engines, accelerating the aircraft to a maximum speed of 900 kilometres per hour. The aircraft has a range of about 2,000 kilometres. With dimensions of 29 metres wingspan, 37 metres length, and 9 metres height, the Tu-134 weighs over 29,000 kilograms. Currently, the primary use of such aircraft is passenger transport.
As late as 2020, North Korea, Syria, and the Russian Federation were the civilian users of the Soviet-era design. Meanwhile, the armed forces of Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Russia used them for military purposes.
