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| Russia Reveals Long-range Air Force Targets by 2023 |
Moscow - Russian long-haul aviation will continue to have a role in Moscow's military operations in Ukraine in 2023 and should master new fleet upgrades. Head of the Russian Long-Range Air Command Lieutenant General Sergey Kobylash explained this on Monday (2/1/2023). "The operational and combat training program planned for this year includes the "use of aerial means of destruction," Kobylash said, as quoted by the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD).
He explained, "Pilots will also continue to train and improve their skills in working with automatic control systems and information support for high-precision weapons." "The tasks will be carried out in 2023 as part of the participation of long-range aviation in special military operations," the commander said.
He expressed his belief that all of the troop's objectives would be achieved through the hard work of all its personnel. Last month, Kobylash told Russian military newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda that most of the troop's crew had received combat experience during the conflict in Ukraine. Russia's long-range flights are part of a nuclear triad of countries that can also carry conventional weapons. They currently rely on three types of aircraft, including the Tu-95MS and Tu-160 strategic missile carriers, and the Tu-22M3 long-range bomber.
Shortly before the New Year, the force was reinforced by another modern Tu-22M3 bomber. Two Tu-160M aircraft have also been submitted for flight tests. One is an upgraded version of an existing aircraft, while the other is built from scratch, as part of Russia's recent attempt to restart its strategic aircraft manufacturing program.
Last month, Ukraine made at least two attempts to attack airfields hosting long-haul flight crews. The airfields are deep in Russian territory, in Saratov and Ryazan. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, a modified “Soviet-made” jet drone, which targeted the Engels and Dyagilevo bases, was shot down by air defenses. However, debris from the destroyed UAV ended up killing six servicemen on the ground and on one occasion causing minor damage to two aircraft.