Ilya Vedmedenko13:10, 06.06.25

The Russians lost a large number of bombers during the recent Ukrainian attack.

The Russians are discussing turning Tu-214 and MS-21 aircraft into “mobilization missile carriers” that will be able to launch cruise missiles instead of the Tu-160 and Tu-95MS, Defense Express reports, citing Russian sources .

“In fact, this is a mobilization missile carrier. We currently have two of these in a conventional series, the Tu-214 and the MS-21. The second option is good in many ways, but if we want to count on at least some export potential, it is better not to militarize it,” writes Russian rocket engineer Alexey Vasiliev.

The Tu-214 can be used as a base for not only a missile carrier, but also a long-range radar tracking aircraft, an anti-submarine defense aircraft, a reconnaissance aircraft, a tanker, and possibly some other aircraft.

“And it turns out that we can load up production and have the ability to produce several dozen aircraft per year,” the specialist adds.

In turn, Defense Express calls the initiative “absurd, but interesting.” Among the main problems are the meager number of Tu-214s built and the very low production rates of this type of aircraft.

“A total of 70 Tu-214 aircraft are to be manufactured by 2030, but the current pace already clearly shows that this plan will not be fulfilled,” the portal’s experts say.

Another difficulty is the general unsuitability of the aircraft for carrying heavy long-range weapons (which is not surprising given its type). In other words, it may be very problematic to turn the Tu-214 into a carrier for the same Kh-101.

Attack on Russian bombers

Let us recall that on June 1, Ukraine attacked several Russian military airfields. The airfields were attacked by FPV drones transported in trucks to the launch sites.

As a result, a large number of Russian aircraft were destroyed and damaged, in particular, Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 bombers. According to the official press release of the SBU, the damage caused to the Russian Federation amounts to 7 billion dollars.

As reported, the destroyed Tu-95MS were being prepared for a strike on Ukraine – at least some of the bombers had already been equipped with missiles.

(C)UNIAN 2025