Russia moves Tu-160 bombers to shelter

Russia is believed to have moved its Tu-160 bombers as far away as possible from Ukraine, following repeated attacks on their main base that caused a stir earlier in June.

On June 1, the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched a large-scale drone attack on several air bases housing Russian bombers. According to recent reports, at least 13 Tu-22M3 and Tu-95MS bombers were destroyed, while others were damaged in the attack. However, it is worth noting that no Tu-160 bombers were affected. Photo: @GTA5-Mods.

Now, according to satellite images shared online, the Russian Air Force has moved two Tu-160 strategic bombers to Anadyr Air Base, just 660 kilometers from the United States, in order to protect important military assets. Photo: @clashreport.

In Russia's far east, amid the harsh landscape of the Chukotka Peninsula, lies the Anadyr Air Base—a remote but strategically important location for Russia's military. Also known as "Ugolny," the Anadyr Air Base was established during the Cold War as part of a key military defense network. Photo: @Defense News.

Located in the Chukotka Autonomous Region, the base is isolated from the rest of Russia—there are no land connections, and it can only be reached by air or sea. This isolation, while a logistical challenge, has now proven to be a vital, necessary strategic advantage. Photo: @GTA5-Mods.

During the Soviet era, Anadyr served as an airfield for strategic bombers and reconnaissance aircraft tasked with monitoring US military activity in Alaska. Today, the base continues to support heavy aircraft such as the Tu-160, Tu-95 and Tu-22M, thanks to a heavily modernized runway. Photo: @GTA5-Mods.

Anadyr is more than just a temporary hideout. The base is a key element in Russia’s strategy to control the Arctic—a region that is becoming increasingly important due to its rich resources and new shipping routes. Its proximity to the United States, about 400 miles away, makes it ideal for surveillance and potential operations on NATO’s northeastern flank. Photo: @Defense News.

Logistics remain a challenge, however. The base relies on air and sea transport to supply it, limiting its flexibility in a variety of logistics operations. However, Anadyr’s modern infrastructure allows it to accommodate heavy aircraft, and the base’s natural isolation makes it a difficult target for enemy forces. Photo: @Air Force Technology.

Now, the deployment of the Tu-160s to Anadyr shows that Russia is ready to take advantage of the base’s geographical advantage to protect its strategic assets. Photo: @Defense News.

The international community, especially the United States, is closely watching this move. The deployment of US bombers near Alaska can be interpreted as a show of force, but also a cautious move in the context of Russia's heavy losses in Ukraine. Currently, there are no reports of an escalation in the region, but Anadyr is still under international scrutiny as a potential flashpoint. ideal for patrolling or prolonged combat operations. Photo: @Sputnik.

The Tu-160 is a Russian strategic bomber, known in Russia as the “White Swan” and in NATO as the “Blackjack.” The giant aircraft, which was developed during the Soviet era and has been modernized for modern conflicts, is not only the world’s heaviest supersonic bomber, but it is also a key part of Russia’s nuclear triad. But what makes the Tu-160 so unique, and why does it remain so central to Russia’s military strategy? Photo: @The Aviation Geek Club.

Designed in the late 1970s by the Tupolev design bureau, the Tu-160 is a rival to the US B-1 Lancer supersonic heavy bomber, but is superior in size, speed and firepower. Measuring 54 metres long and with a wingspan of up to 55.7 metres when fully extended, the behemoth is powered by four NK-32 afterburning turbofan engines. This allows the aircraft to reach supersonic speeds in excess of Mach 2.2, although it typically cruises at around Mach 1.5 to conserve fuel and extend its range. Photo: @Defense News.

With a maximum takeoff weight of 275 tonnes, the Tu-160 can fly more than 12,300 km without refueling, making it ideal for long-range missions such as Arctic patrols or operations near NATO borders. Photo: @Air Force Technology.

What sets the Tu-160 apart is its ability to carry a huge arsenal of weapons, combined with the flexibility of its variable-geometry wings. Its wings can be adjusted from 20 to 65 degrees, optimizing performance for both high-speed flight and fuel economy for long-range missions. Photo: @GTA5-Mods.

The Tu-160 has two internal weapons bays, each capable of carrying up to 22.5 tons of weapons, making it one of the world's most lethal bombers. Its primary payload includes cruise missiles with nuclear and conventional warheads, giving it the flexibility to handle a wide range of missions—from strategic strikes to precision strikes on ground targets. Photo: @Air Force Technology.

Among the most important weapons in the Tu-160's arsenal are the Kh-55SM cruise missiles and their modernized version, the Kh-555. These missiles, with a range of up to 2,500 km, allow the Tu-160 to strike from a safe distance, without having to penetrate enemy air defenses. The Kh-55SM is designed to carry a nuclear warhead, while the Kh-555 uses conventional explosives for precision strikes. The newer Kh-101 missile, with a range of up to 4,500 km, offers even greater range and accuracy, thanks to an advanced guidance system that combines inertial navigation and GPS. For nuclear missions, the Tu-160 can also carry the Kh-102 missile, a nuclear-armed variant of the Kh-101. ideal for long-range patrols or combat missions. Photo: @Sputnik.

In addition, the Tu-160 is capable of launching the Kh-47M2 “Kinzhal” hypersonic missile, which reaches speeds of up to Mach 10 and is designed to penetrate modern air defense systems. Although rarely used, this missile emphasizes the Tu-160’s adaptability to modern combat conditions. Photo: @Defense News.

In addition to missiles, the Tu-160 can carry a variety of free-fall bombs, including guided munitions such as the KAB-1500, designed to destroy hardened targets such as bunkers or command centers. Photo: @The Aviation Geek Club.

The aircraft's avionics have been significantly upgraded in recent years, especially in the modernized Tu-160M ​​version, which entered serial production in the 2020s. New active phased array radars provide improved reconnaissance capabilities and resistance to electronic jamming, while advanced electronic warfare systems protect the aircraft from enemy radars and missiles. The cockpit is equipped with multi-function displays, which simplify the management of complex weapons systems and flexible navigation during long flights. Photo: @GTA5-Mods.

The Tu-160M ​​modernization also includes the upgrade of the NK-32-02 engine, which improves fuel efficiency and extends the range by about 1,000 km. This is important for missions in remote areas such as the Arctic, where bases like Anadyr serve as transit points. The aircraft is equipped with an in-flight refueling system, allowing it to fly for hours or even days if needed, making it ideal for long-duration patrols or combat missions. Photo: @Sputnik.

Despite its impressive capabilities, the Tu-160 is not without its weaknesses. Its large size and complexity make it expensive to maintain, and production of new Tu-160s has been slow and limited. Russia operates around 17 Tu-160s, some of which have been upgraded to the Tu-160M ​​standard. Photo: @Air Force Technology.

The Tu-160 is more than just an aircraft—it’s a symbol of Russia’s military might and technological ambitions. Its ability to carry a diverse arsenal, from nuclear cruise missiles to hypersonic weapons, makes it a versatile tool for strategic deterrence and power projection. So the recent decision to move the Tu-160 strategic bombers to Russia’s Anadyr air base is partly driven by the need to protect valuable military assets from Ukrainian attacks, but it also marks a new phase in the geopolitical struggle for the Arctic, an area that is increasingly becoming an arena of fierce competition between Russia, the United States, and NATO. Photo: @Defense News.

The deployment of the Tu-160, a long-range, precision strike aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons, sends a signal to the West that Russia is ready to defend its Arctic interests by any means necessary. The move comes at a time when Russia is accelerating its militarization of the region, expanding its radar network and air defense systems to counter a growing NATO presence. Photo: @The Aviation Geek Club.

For the US, the presence of the Tu-160s so close to Alaska is a provocation that requires a cautious response. Alaska, with military bases such as Elmendorf-Richardson and Eielson, is a key component of the US defense architecture in the Arctic. These bases already host F-22 and F-35 fighters, as well as early warning systems that monitor Russian activity across the Bering Strait. The appearance of the Tu-160s at Anadyr could prompt Washington to increase patrols in the region and increase the frequency of air and naval exercises. This could include deploying additional forces to Alaska, or even launching joint exercises with Canada, which also has interests in the Arctic. However, such actions risk raising tensions and further destabilizing the region. Photo: @Air Force Technology.

NATO, for its part, faces a dilemma. The alliance has expanded its presence in the Arctic in recent years through exercises and investments in bases in Norway and Iceland. But Russia’s deployment of the Tu-160 to Anadyr Air Base could prompt NATO to accelerate plans to bolster its defenses on its northern flank, but that would require coordination among members with differing defense priorities. Photo: @The Aviation Geek Club.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/nga-di-chuyen-may-bay-nem-bom-tu-160-den-noi-tru-an-post1546869.html