Reports from Russian and Ukrainian sources suggest that President Vladimir Putin has recently faced a highly embarrassing military setback. According to claims circulating on the Telegram channel Spy Dossier, three of Russia’s Tu-160 “Blackjack” nuclear-capable strategic bombers all experienced technical failures at the same time.
The aircraft, which were reportedly prepared for large-scale strikes against Ukraine, malfunctioned in different ways:
- Bomber 1 (Tail number 04, “Ivan Yarygin”) – Failed to launch its missiles due to a breakdown in the launcher mechanism.
- Bomber 2 (Tail number 16, “Alexey Plokhov”) – Struck by lightning mid-mission, damaging the cockpit glass and forcing the crew to abort.
- Bomber 3 (stationed at Engels Airbase, Saratov region) – Never even left the runway. The cause remains unclear.
This triple failure has been described as an “emergency” for Russia’s long-range strategic aviation, particularly as the Tu-160 fleet plays a central role in Moscow’s nuclear deterrence strategy.
Often called the “White Swan” inside Russia, the Tu-160 is a supersonic bomber capable of carrying nuclear and conventional cruise missiles. Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, it has been used to launch Kh-101 and Kh-555 cruise missiles from within Russian airspace.
The timing of these malfunctions coincides with other setbacks for Moscow. Ukrainian forces recently destroyed a Russian S-300V air defense system valued at around £30 million on the Zaporizhzhia front. Drone footage released by Ukraine showed a chain of fiery explosions as the system was obliterated.
Meanwhile, geopolitical developments are also raising concerns. President Putin has been strengthening alliances with authoritarian leaders, including a recent warm embrace with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un during a meeting in Beijing. Analysts believe this partnership could signal deeper military cooperation, as Pyongyang has already supplied artillery, missiles, and manpower to support Russia’s war effort.
Adding to international unease, NATO officials have warned that Russia’s aggressive posture could trigger a wider conflict in Europe by 2026, unless strong deterrence measures are maintained.
In short, while Russia continues its campaign in Ukraine, these simultaneous aircraft failures and battlefield losses highlight vulnerabilities in Moscow’s much-touted military capabilities.
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