Russia uses bombers received from Ukraine in 1999, RFE/RL reports

As an investigation by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) Schemes revealed on November 26, Russia is actively using at least six Tu-160 bombers that Ukraine transferred to Russia in 1999 to repay its gas debt.

The investigation also identified pilots flying planes and carrying out missile attacks on Ukraine. Russia regularly uses its strategic aircraft to attack cities and infrastructure throughout Ukraine.

Ukraine transferred Tu-160 heavy supersonic bombers in 1999 as part of a larger debt repayment for Russian gas. Journalists identified the planes by comparing their old serial numbers in archives and aviation records.

RFE/RL was also able to identify some of the pilots flying these planes against Ukraine, such as Oleg Skytskyi, a soldier of the 22nd Air Division who, according to Ukrainian Military Intelligence (HUR), is “responsible for numerous casualties and destruction in Ukraine”, one of whom is believed to have fired the rocket that killed an RFE/RL journalist on April 28, 2022 in Kiev.

As part of the arms transfer in 1999, Kiev transferred to Moscow eight Tu-160 heavy bombers and three Tu-95MS heavy bombers, as well as 575 Kh-55 cruise missiles, with Russia waiving a gas debt of $275 million, representing 10%. real value of assets.

The transferred Kh-55 missiles were also used against Ukraine, among others earlier investigation broadcast by Radio Free.

Tu-160 strategic bombers are among the largest combat aircraft ever operated, but are rarely used due to maintenance problems. They were the latest heavy strategic bombers designed in the Soviet Union, capable of carrying conventional and nuclear weapons.

Their last use was on November 17, when Russia fired one of the largest air attacks on Ukraine, which killed seven civilians and damaged its power grid.