The Russians reported that the airfield near Kaluga was allegedly attacked by a Ukrainian drone
Bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons are based at the airfield
The Shaykovka airfield, where Russian Tu-22 strategic bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons are based, was attacked by an alleged Ukrainian drone. This was reported by the governor of the Kaluga region, Vladyslav Shapsha, who is referred to by The Insider.
‘Today there was an explosion at the military airfield ‘Shaykovka’ in the territory of the Kaluga region. A drone, which probably flew from the side of the border, fell. There are no casualties. The airfield infrastructure and equipment were not damaged. There is no threat to work. An investigative team is working on the spot to establish the reasons and circumstances of what happened,’ he said.
The 52nd Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment (several dozen Tu-22M3s) is based at the Shaykovka Air Base, located 200 km from the eastern border with Ukraine. In March 2021, three Tu-22M3 pilots died there due to an abnormal operation of the ejection system.
Some Ukrainian mass media and Telegram channels report that a drone destroyed two Tu-22MZ strategic missile carriers at Shaykovka. This information is currently unconfirmed.
It was from Tu-22M3 aircraft that Russian troops launched hypersonic missiles ‘Kinzhal’ and dropped FAB-3000 aerial bombs on ‘Azovstal’.
In June 2022, the command of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that it was from the Shaykovka that the Tu-22M was launched, which hit the shopping center in Kremenchuk with Kh-22 missiles.
Earlier, explosions took place at other military airfields, where Russian planes are now based. In particular, at the Belbek airfield in Crimea, where the authorities also announced that enemy drones were shot down by air defense. And also at the airfield in the Crimean Novofedorivka, where the official cause of the explosions was the detonation of ammunition. Judging by satellite images, more than ten Su-24M and Su-30SM fighters were destroyed in Novofedrivka.
