Key Points and Summary – In response to Ukraine’s devastating “Operation Spiderweb” drone strikes in June, Russia is now fortifying its airbases with new concrete shelters and earth-covered bunkers, according to recent satellite imagery.
-However, the effectiveness of these new defenses is questionable, with some analysts suggesting they offer little more than protection from bad weather.
-Adding to the picture of disarray, satellite photos also reveal that the wreckage of the Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 strategic bombers destroyed in the June 1 attacks still remains on the tarmac at multiple airfields, a clear sign of the logistical strain on the Russian military.
Russia Fortifies Airbases After Ukraine “Spiderweb” Attacks
According to an analysis of satellite imagery by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russia responded to Ukraine’s “Operation Spider’s Web” by fortifying its key military airbases.
In images dated July 7 and 9, various defensive structures can be seen complete or still in construction at the Khalino airfield in the Kursk region and the Saki airbase in Crimea.
The images show 10 reinforced bunkers that appeared to be covered with earth at Khalino, with 12 additional concrete shelters and a further eight new structures that resemble traditional aircraft hangers.
Meanwhile at the Saki airbase, images show two new concrete shelters and aircraft bunkers that were hastily constructed within a matter of days.
Following the June 1 drone strikes, during which the Ukrainian General Staff claimed that at least 12 aircraft were destroyed, Russia began relocating dozens of its advanced bombers to airbases further away from the Ukrainian border.
Along with new defensive structures on key airbases, Russia appears to be taking the threat of further Ukrainian covert drone operations seriously – but other open source intelligence (OSINT) could suggest that its fighter jets and bombers are still vulnerable.
More to the Story…
The news comes amid reports that almost two months after Ukraine’s historic drone strikes, the remains of Russia’s destroyed aircraft have not yet been removed from the Belaya, Engels, and Olenya airfields.
According to Defense Express, new satellite images of the Belaya airbase in the Irkutsk region confirm that debris and remnants of Russia’s Tu-22M3 and Tu-95MS bombers have been left on military airfields since June 1. Some estimate the aircraft losses at over $7 billion.
The satellite imagery was reportedly obtained by Ukrainian OSINT analyst Tatarigami.
“They still show the remains of the Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3, and the image itself is published by Ukrainian OSINT analyst Tatarigami. The reasons why the Russian Federation has not yet stretched the remains of aircraft are unknown,” the outlet reports.
The imagery also suggests that not all of the remains of the strategic bombers damaged in Ukraine’s strikes were removed from the Olenya airbase.
Curiously, the intelligence also suggests that many of the structures being built at Russian airbases may not be designed to withstand drone strikes. Of the “mega-shelters” being constructed at Russian airbases, many are reportedly “unlikely to help save the plane from anything more serious than bad weather.”
According to Tatarigami, Russian forces are being “forced to adapt” by either building fortified structures where they can or any other kind of structure possible to simply hide the planes. Additionally, vulnerable airfields now appear to have been abandoned, “despite their logistical convenience,” over fears of future Ukrainian drone strikes.
About the Author:
Jack Buckby is a British author, counter-extremism researcher, and journalist based in New York. Reporting on the U.K., Europe, and the U.S., he works to analyze and understand left-wing and right-wing radicalization, and reports on Western governments’ approaches to the pressing issues of today. His books and research papers explore these themes and propose pragmatic solutions to our increasingly polarized society. His latest book is The Truth Teller: RFK Jr. and the Case for a Post-Partisan Presidency.
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