Bombers from Kola take part in major daytime attack
Two Tu-95MS aircraft from Olenya Air Base participated when Russia carried out one of the largest bombardments of Ukraine so far this year on 3 April.
Ukraine’s Air Force reported on Telegram that Russia launched hours-long attacks using UAVs, as well as air- and ground-launched missiles, across the country. A total of 542 drones, 12 land-launched Iskander quasi-ballistic missiles, and 25 Kh-101 cruise missiles were detected between 18:00 on 2 April and 14:00 on 3 April.
According to the Air Force, 11 missiles and 27 drones struck their targets, while the remainder were either shot down or neutralised by electronic warfare systems.
At least four people were killed and more than 30 injured, according to the Kyiv Independent.
The Kh-101 cruise missiles where launched from Tu-95MS and Tu-160 long-range bombers. At the time of launch, the aircraft were flying over the Samara region, in safe distance from Ukraine's anti-aircraft capabilities.
According to the open-source monitoring group AviVector, the bombers involved in Friday’s large-scale attack operated from three different air bases in Russia. Two Tu-95MS aircraft departed from Olenya Air Base on the Kola Peninsula, one Tu-95MS flew from Engels-2 Air Base in the Saratov region, and a Tu-160 took off from Ukrainka Air Base in the Amur region.
However, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that 24 of the 25 Kh-101 missiles were intercepted.
After four years of sustained attacks, Ukraine has significantly strengthened its air defence capabilities. These improvements include the deployment of F-16 fighter jets supplied by European partners, more experienced pilots, and a range of advanced ground-based air defence systems.
Easter ceasefire proposal remains
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that Ukraine’s proposal for an Easter ceasefire remains on the table, despite Russia’s apparent unwillingness to halt its attacks.
“Essentially, the Russians have only intensified their strikes, turning what should have been silence in the skies into an Easter escalation,” Zelensky wrote on X.
The Orthodox churches in Ukraine and Russia determine the date of Easter according to the Julian calendar. This year, the Easter period falls next weekend.
