Tu-95 decoys malt på tarmac ved Engels AB - The War Zone

 

Sjekk artikkelen med bilder her: https://tinyurl.com/y79v4m6p

Tu-95 Decoys Are Being Painted On Russian Air Base’s Apron

Moscow’s efforts to disrupt Ukraine’s ability to target and strike its bomber force while on the ground now includes painted silhouettes.

BYSTETSON PAYNE|PUBLISHED SEP 30, 2023 4:17 PM EDT

THE WAR ZONE

 

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Satellite imagery shows Russia is now painting the silhouettes of Tu-95MS “Bear-H” strategic bombers in parking revetments at its master bomber base, Engels Air Base, also known as Engels-2. The base has come under repeated attack over the last year and as Ukraine's standoff weapons capabilities are rapidly evolving, so are its abilities to strike deep inside Russia using local sabotage and drone attack teams.

Planet Labs satellite imagery obtained by The War Zone that was taken on Sept. 29 shows the two-dimensional decoys adorned on Engels’ tarmac — a near 'copy-paste' of the four-engine bomber’s distinctive planform right down to its black-painted cockpit area. A second painted decoy appears partially complete next to the finished one. It's worth noting that it is possible that these are some sort of low profile cloth/canvas or other decoy, but it has little to no vertical dimension, so paint is most likely.