Russia has 27 airworthy Tu-22M bombers left — Budanov

After recent drone strikes on Russian airfields in Soltsy and Shaykovka, Moscow now has no more than 27 operational strategic Tu-22M3 bombers at its disposal, Ukrainian Defense Intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said in an interview with RFE/RL on Aug. 23.

Budanov said that a total of 436 Russian aircraft are involved in the military campaign against Ukraine.

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“That's a lot; but if you ask how many of them are Tu-22s, it'll be just a few,” he said.

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“They had around 31 working Tu-22s, now — 29, and minus two more that will need repairs, meaning 27. So, not many that can actually fly.”

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He also reported that as a result of operations in Soltsy and Shaykovka, two aircraft were completely destroyed, while two more were damaged. Budanov noted that the damaged aircraft would be eventually repaired. Russia no longer produces Soviet-era Tu-22 aircraft.

The head of the intelligence agency stated that the strikes were delivered out by "individuals who carried out certain tasks from the territory of the Russian Federation."

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