Bombers from Kola Peninsula take center stage in terror bombing of Ukraine

Tu-95 long-range strategic bombers from the Olenya base in the Murmansk region played a key role in the massive attack on Ukrainian cities on 29th of December. (Photo from video by the Defense Ministry)

A group of nine Tu-95MS strategic bombers early Friday morning took off from the Olenya air base and few hours later fired its deadly load on civilian targets across Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Air Force at 2.30 am Friday reported about the approaching threat. In a Telegram message, the authority called on people to be on the alert.

“Warning! The takeoff of nine Tu-95MS aircraft from the “Olenya” airfield (Murmansk region) is recorded. In the event of a missile threat and cruise missile launches, we will notify you in addition. Don’t ignore airborne alarms!”

The bombers from the north Russian air base were part of the massive attack that created devastation across the neighbouring country.

At least 16 people were killed and about 100 injured as missiles hit civilian buildings and infrastructure in a number of Ukrainian towns and cities.

“Today, Russia used nearly every type of weapon in its arsenal: “Kindzhals,” S-300s, cruise missiles, and drones. Strategic bombers launched X-101/X-505 missiles. A total of around 110 missiles were fired against Ukraine, with the majority of them being shot down,” Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy said in a statement on X.

Among the targets for the Russians were a maternity ward, educational facilities, a shopping mall, multi-story residential buildings and private homes, a commercial storage, and a parking lot.

A maternity ward, educational facilities, a shopping mall, multi-story residential buildings and private homes, a commercial storage, and a parking lot. Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and other cities.

Today, Russia used nearly every type of weapon in its… pic.twitter.com/q5q8Q98Njr

Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and other cities were attacked, the President informs.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, as many as 87 missiles and 27 drones were shot down by air defence.

A total of 44 Russian missiles and drones hit targets in their targets.

The far northern airbase of Olenya played a key role in the violent attack. The base is located outside the town of Olenegorsk, Kola Peninsula, only about 150 km from the border to Finland.

The Olenya base has become more important for the Russians as Ukraine has shown itself capable of attacking targets across central parts of Russia. In August, the Russian Air Force moved several strategic bombers to the northern base following a Ukrainian attack on the Soltsy-2 air base in Novgorod.

After Finland joined the Alliance on April 4, US surveillance aircraft have on several occasions had missions in the country’s northern airspace with a clear view towards the Olenya air base to the east.

Related stories from around the North: 

Canada: U.S. report claims Trudeau told NATO Canada will never meet military spending target, CBC News

China: Satellite imagery reveals construction progress on new Chinese Antarctic base, Eye on the Arctic

FinlandRussian cyber attacks, espionage pose growing threat to Finnish national security, Yle news

Greenland: Growing focus on Arctic puts Greenland at higher risk of cyber attacks: assessment, Eye on the Arctic

IcelandIceland authorizes U.S. submarine service visits, Eye on the Arct

Norway: Expelled ‘diplomats’ left Norway via Kirkenes and Istanbul, The Independent Barents Observer

Russia: Russian Arctic rescue exercise attended by observers from Iran and Saudi Arabia, The Independent Barents Observer

Sweden: Russian spy ships surveying Nordic energy infrastructure, Radio Sweden

United States: U.S. nominates Alaskan as first Arctic ambassador, Eye on the Arctic

Atle Staalesen, The Independent Barents Observer

For more news from the Barents region visit The Independent Barents Observer.

Do you want to report an error or a typo? Click here!

Leave a Reply

Note: By submitting your comments, you acknowledge that Radio Canada International has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Radio Canada International does not endorse any of the views posted. Your comments will be pre-moderated and published if they meet netiquette guidelines.
Netiquette »

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *