Ukraine's strategic strikes cripple Russian fuel reserves
As a result of recent attacks on Russian bases where aviation fuel is stored, the Ukrainian armed forces have destroyed approximately 800,000 tonnes of fuel, according to the Ukrainian portal, Defense Express. This amount could support up to 900 combat missions for a group of 21 Tu-22M3 aircraft, each consuming 5.4 tonnes of fuel per flight hour.
The Ukrainian armed forces have conducted effective attacks on Russian fuel resources in recent days, destroying a total of around 800,000 tonnes of fuel. The fires accompanying these strikes were so intense that they were visible even from space. According to expert Anatolii Khrapchynskyi, this is enough to fuel 900 combat missions for 21 Tu-22M3 bombers, each of which consumes approximately 5.4 tonnes of fuel per flight hour.
Impact of the attack on Russian resources
As analysts from Defense Express explain, Russian aviation regularly uses the Tu-22M3 bombers for attacks against Ukrainian positions. The aircraft typically carry Kh-22 or Kh-32 missiles. Destroying large fuel reserves means that the Russians will be at least partially forced to reduce the frequency of Tu-22M3 flights until they can gather appropriate fuel supplies at the locations where these planes are stationed.
The destruction of these fuel reserves complicates logistics, indicating that in the near future, Russia's combat capabilities may be limited.
Khrapchinsky added that although attacks on Russia's strategic facilities are significant in the long term, this does not mean that Russia will abandon attempts to launch missile attacks. The Ukrainian armed forces must continue operations in this direction.
Russian Tu-22M3 bombers
It should be noted that the Russian Tu-22M3 bomber has a significant capability of carrying up to about 24 metric tonnes of armament, making it an important military asset in the arsenal of the Russian Federation. From the Ukrainian perspective, this aircraft poses a serious threat as it is used to transport, among others, the aforementioned Kh-32 and Kh-22 missiles, which Ukrainians find very difficult to defend against. The estimated range of the Kh-22 missile, when released from an altitude of about 14,000 metres, is about 550 kilometres.
Additionally, the Tu-22M3 is adapted to carry other types of missiles, such as the Kh-15 cruise missiles, as well as the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, which has a range of up to about 2,000 kilometres. These parameters make the Russian bomber a key element in military operations in the region.
The Tu-22M3 can accelerate to speeds of about 2,300 kilometres per hour. Besides that, its range is estimated at about 7,000 kilometres. This aircraft has a length of about 42.5 metres, while its wingspan measures 34.5 metres.
