Latest news with #Il-78
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Satellite images show the unusual tire tactic and fake decoy aircraft that failed to save Russia's bombers from Ukrainian drones
Satellite images show Russia tried using deceptive tactics at the airbases Ukraine attacked Sunday. These tactics included placing tires on wings and painting fake decoy planes on the ground. It's a playbook that Moscow has used throughout the war to try to protect its airbases. Satellite imagery of the four Russian airbases that were attacked by Ukraine on Sunday shows how Moscow attempted to use deceptive tactics to protect its strategic bomber fleet. The images, captured by US commercial satellite imaging company Maxar Technologies and obtained by Business Insider, show that Russia had many of its bombers covered with tires and other objects in the days and weeks before the Ukrainian operation. Moscow's forces also painted fake aircraft on the tarmac and used debris to create decoy planes. Ukraine's SBU, its internal security agency, said it used small quadcopter drones to hit 41 Russian aircraft in the daring operation, more than 18 months in the making. These aircraft include A-50 airborne early warning and control planes, An-12 transporters, Il-78 refueling tankers, and Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 bombers. The drones struck airbases across Russia, specifically Belaya in the Irkutsk region, Olenya in the Murmansk region, Dyagilevo in the Ryazan region, and Ivanovo in the Ivanovo region. Ukrainka in the Amur region was reportedly targeted but not hit. Different types of deception tactics can be seen in satellite imagery of all five sites at various points in time before the attack. Brady Africk, an open-source intelligence analyst, told BI that since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, Moscow's forces have "added flat decoy aircraft to many air bases and placed tires on top of parked planes in an effort to confuse the targeting systems of Ukrainian weapons." Africk said the new satellite imagery shows that Russia also "placed debris on top of flat decoys and positioned solid objects on the ground in the rough shape of aircraft" in what looks like an "apparent attempt to increase the chances of misleading Ukrainian weapons." Africk said that Russia's flat decoy aircraft — in some cases, they are just simple silhouettes; in others, they are painted to look like the planes they're intended to resemble — aren't easily seen in the radar-based satellite imagery that the Ukrainian military is understood to use. "It is clear from the number of aircraft destroyed that Ukraine's attack on these bases was very successful, despite Russia's attempts at deception," he said. New video footage from the attack shows drones striking aircraft with tires in place. The Ukrainian attack was complex and very different from any other deep strike in scope and scale. The SBU said that planning began more than a year and a half ago. The agency smuggled the explosive-packed quadcopter drones into Russia and then sent wooden containers to house them. In Russia, operatives hid the drones in the containers, which were placed on trucks and driven to positions near the airbases. On Sunday, the tops of the containers were opened remotely, allowing the drones to fly out simultaneously and attack their targets. The SBU said the attack took out a third of Russia's strategic cruise missile carriers, causing more than $7 billion in losses. Lt. Gen. Vasyl Malyuk, the agency's chief, called it a "devastating blow" to Moscow's aviation and a "serious slap in the face" to the Kremlin's power projection. BI could not independently verify the reported details of the operation, including how many aircraft were damaged or destroyed, and the cost of the losses. Russia's defense ministry has acknowledged but downplayed the attack. The bombers that were targeted have been used in devastating strikes against Ukraine throughout the conflict. These aircraft can travel long distances and carry heavy payloads. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 117 first-person view (FPV) drones and as many operators were involved in the massive attack. He said the planning and organization "was perfectly executed" and called it "an absolutely unique operation." The attack underscores the increasing role that cheap drones and surprise play in modern warfare. One of the airbases that was hit, Belaya, is over 2,500 miles from the Ukrainian border, demonstrating Kyiv's long reach and its ability to slip past Russian defenses. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
6 days ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
Satellite images show the unusual tire tactic and fake decoy aircraft that failed to save Russia's bombers from Ukrainian drones
Satellite images show Russia tried using deceptive tactics at the airbases Ukraine attacked Sunday. These tactics included placing tires on wings and painting fake decoy planes on the ground. It's a playbook that Moscow has used throughout the war to try to protect its airbases. Satellite imagery of the four Russian airbases that were attacked by Ukraine on Sunday shows how Moscow attempted to use deceptive tactics in an attempt to protect its strategic bomber fleet. The images, captured by US commercial satellite imaging company Maxar Technologies and obtained by Business Insider, show that Russia had many of its bombers covered with tires and other objects in the days and weeks before the Ukrainian operation. Moscow's forces also painted fake aircraft on the tarmac and used debris to create decoy planes. Ukraine's SBU, its internal security agency, said it used small quadcopter drones to hit 41 Russian aircraft in the daring operation, more than 18 months in the making. These aircraft include A-50 airborne early warning and control planes, An-12 transporters, Il-78 refueling tankers, and Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 bombers. The drones struck airbases across Russia, specifically Belaya in the Irkutsk region, Olenya in the Murmansk region, Dyagilevo in the Ryazan region, and Ivanovo in the Ivanovo region. Ukrainka in the Amur region was reportedly targeted but not hit. Different types of deception tactics can be seen in satellite imagery of all five sites at various points in time before the attack. Brady Africk, an open-source intelligence analyst, told BI that since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, Moscow's forces have "added flat decoy aircraft to many air bases and placed tires on top of parked planes in an effort to confuse the targeting systems of Ukrainian weapons." Africk said the new satellite imagery shows that Russia also "placed debris on top of flat decoys and positioned solid objects on the ground in the rough shape of aircraft" in what looks like an "apparent attempt to increase the chances of misleading Ukrainian weapons." Africk said that Russia's flat decoy aircraft — in some cases, they are just simple silhouettes; in others, they are painted to look like the planes they're intended to resemble — aren't easily seen in the radar-based satellite imagery that the Ukrainian military is understood to use. "It is clear from the number of aircraft destroyed that Ukraine's attack on these bases was very successful, despite Russia's attempts at deception," he said. New video footage from the attack shows drones striking aircraft with tires in place. A 'devastating blow' to Russian aviation The Ukrainian attack was complex and very different from any other deep strike in scope and scale. The SBU said that planning began more than a year and a half ago. The agency smuggled the explosive-packed quadcopter drones into Russia and then sent wooden containers to house them. In Russia, operatives hid the drones in the containers, which were placed on trucks and driven to positions near the airbases. On Sunday, the tops of the containers were opened remotely, allowing the drones to fly out simultaneously and attack their targets. The SBU said the attack took out a third of Russia's strategic cruise missile carriers, causing more than $7 billion in losses. Lt. Gen. Vasyl Malyuk, the agency's chief, called it a "devastating blow" to Moscow's aviation and a "serious slap in the face" to the Kremlin's power projection. BI could not independently verify the reported details of the operation, including how many aircraft were damaged or destroyed, and the cost of the losses. Russia's defense ministry has acknowledged but downplayed the attack. The bombers that were targeted have been used in devastating strikes against Ukraine throughout the conflict. These aircraft can travel long distances and carry heavy payloads. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 117 first-person view (FPV) drones and as many operators were involved in the massive attack. He said the planning and organization "was perfectly executed" and called it "an absolutely unique operation." The attack underscores the increasing role that cheap drones and surprise play in modern warfare. One of the airbases that was hit, Belaya, is over 2,500 miles from the Ukrainian border, demonstrating Kyiv's long reach and its ability to slip past Russian defenses.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Before and after satellite images show the damage swarms of exploding Ukrainian drones inflicted on Russia's bombers
Ukraine carried out a massive drone attack on Russian airbases on Sunday. Kyiv said dozens of Russian aircraft, including its strategic bombers, were struck. New satellite imagery appears to show extensive damage at two of the airbases that were attacked. Newly captured satellite imagery captures the aftermath of the wide-scale Ukrainian drone attack that targeted multiple Russian airbases on Sunday. The photos, taken on Wednesday by US commercial satellite imaging company Maxar Technologies and obtained by Business Insider, appear to show damaged and destroyed bomber aircraft at the Belaya airbase in Russia's central Irkutsk region, more than 2,500 miles from the Ukrainian border. Ukraine's internal security agency, known as the SBU, said it used small quadcopter-style drones to strike 41 Russian aircraft. The targeted aircraft included Russian A-50 airborne early warning and control planes, An-12 transport aircraft, Il-78 refueling tankers, and Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 bombers, the agency said. The SBU said the attack impacted a third of Moscow's strategic cruise missile carriers and caused over $7 billion in losses. Beyond Belaya, the operation known as Spiderweb, which was over 18 months in the making, struck three other airbases across Russia: Olenya in the Murmansk region, Dyagilevo in the Ryazan region, and Ivanovo in the Ivanovo region. Maxar's images also show what appear to be destroyed aircraft at the northern Olenya base. Imagery of the airbases captured in the days and weeks leading up to the attack shows that Russia had covered many of its bombers with tires and unidentifiable objects. Moscow also painted fake aircraft on the tarmac and used debris to create decoy planes. The extensive use of deception has long been seen as an attempt by the Russians to try to confuse Ukrainian weapons systems, like drones and missiles, that are hunting its aircraft. Moscow has used this tactic at its airbases throughout the war. The Ukrainian attack on the Russian bases was as audacious as it was complex and far different from any other deep strike Kyiv has carried out during the war. Planning for the operation started more than a year and a half ago, the SBU shared. The agency transported small, explosive-laden quadcopter drones to Russia, and those were followed by wooden containers that resemble shipping crates. On Russian soil, operatives hid the drones in the containers, which were placed on trucks and driven to positions near the different airbases. Then, on Sunday, the tops of the containers were remotely opened, and the drones simultaneously flew out to attack their targets in swarms, striking dozens of aircraft. Lt. Gen. Vasyl Malyuk, the SBU chief, called it a "devastating blow" to Russian aviation. Video footage obtained by BI showed several Russian aircraft burning after they had been hit by drones. The bombers, which can travel long distances and carry heavy payloads, have been used in devastating strikes against Ukraine, Kyiv said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 117 first-person view (FPV) drones and as many operators were involved in the operation, which was coordinated in a field office directly next to an FSB headquarters in one of the Russian regions. "Planning, organization, every detail was perfectly executed. I can say with certainty that this is an absolutely unique operation," Zelenskyy said. He added that the operatives left Russian territory before the attack and are safe. The attack further highlights how cheap drones have become an invaluable, asymmetric weapon of war with growing reach. Belaya is farther than any of Ukraine's previous long-range strikes inside Russia. BI could not independently verify all the reported details of the operation, including how many aircraft were damaged or destroyed. Russia's defense ministry has acknowledged the attack but downplayed its severity. It's unclear how the attack will impact the Russian bomber fleet in the short and long term. Experts have said that even taking out a handful of the aircraft could have significant implications on Moscow's strike campaigns, which have intensified in recent weeks. Zelenskyy said that "before this operation was carried out, we had intelligence indicating that Russia was preparing another massive strike." Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
6 days ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
Before and after satellite images show the damage swarms of exploding Ukrainian drones inflicted on Russia's bombers
Ukraine carried out a massive drone attack on Russian airbases on Sunday. Kyiv said dozens of Russian aircraft, including its strategic bombers, were struck. New satellite imagery appears to show extensive damage at two of the airbases that were attacked. Newly captured satellite imagery captures the aftermath of the wide-scale Ukrainian drone attack that targeted multiple Russian airbases on Sunday. The photos, taken on Wednesday by US commercial satellite imaging company Maxar Technologies and obtained by Business Insider, appear to show damaged and destroyed bomber aircraft at the Belaya airbase in Russia's central Irkutsk region, more than 2,500 miles from the Ukrainian border. Ukraine's internal security agency, known as the SBU, said it used small quadcopter-style drones to strike 41 Russian aircraft. The targeted aircraft included Russian A-50 airborne early warning and control planes, An-12 transport aircraft, Il-78 refueling tankers, and Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 bombers, the agency said. The SBU said the attack impacted a third of Moscow's strategic cruise missile carriers and caused over $7 billion in losses. Beyond Belaya, the operation known as Spiderweb, which was over 18 months in the making, struck three other airbases across Russia: Olenya in the Murmansk region, Dyagilevo in the Ryazan region, and Ivanovo in the Ivanovo region. Maxar's images also show what appear to be destroyed aircraft at the northern Olenya base. Imagery of the airbases captured in the days and weeks leading up to the attack shows that Russia had covered many of its bombers with tires and unidentifiable objects. Moscow also painted fake aircraft on the tarmac and used debris to create decoy planes. The extensive use of deception has long been seen as an attempt by the Russians to try to confuse Ukrainian weapons systems, like drones and missiles, that are hunting its aircraft. Moscow has used this tactic at its airbases throughout the war. A 'unique operation' The Ukrainian attack on the Russian bases was as audacious as it was complex and far different from any other deep strike Kyiv has carried out during the war. Planning for the operation started more than a year and a half ago, the SBU shared. The agency transported small, explosive-laden quadcopter drones to Russia, and those were followed by wooden containers that resemble shipping crates. On Russian soil, operatives hid the drones in the containers, which were placed on trucks and driven to positions near the different airbases. Then, on Sunday, the tops of the containers were remotely opened, and the drones simultaneously flew out to attack their targets in swarms, striking dozens of aircraft. Lt. Gen. Vasyl Malyuk, the SBU chief, called it a "devastating blow" to Russian aviation. Video footage obtained by BI showed several Russian aircraft burning after they had been hit by drones. The bombers, which can travel long distances and carry heavy payloads, have been used in devastating strikes against Ukraine, Kyiv said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 117 first-person view (FPV) drones and as many operators were involved in the operation, which was coordinated in a field office directly next to an FSB headquarters in one of the Russian regions. "Planning, organization, every detail was perfectly executed. I can say with certainty that this is an absolutely unique operation," Zelenskyy said. He added that the operatives left Russian territory before the attack and are safe. The attack further highlights how cheap drones have become an invaluable, asymmetric weapon of war with growing reach. Belaya is farther than any of Ukraine's previous long-range strikes inside Russia. BI could not independently verify all the reported details of the operation, including how many aircraft were damaged or destroyed. Russia's defense ministry has acknowledged the attack but downplayed its severity. It's unclear how the attack will impact the Russian bomber fleet in the short and long term. Experts have said that even taking out a handful of the aircraft could have significant implications on Moscow's strike campaigns, which have intensified in recent weeks. Zelenskyy said that "before this operation was carried out, we had intelligence indicating that Russia was preparing another massive strike."
India Today
14-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Exclusive: Pak's VVIP jet near Indian Air Force strike zone on May 10, probe shows
Flight tracking data and exclusive satellite imagery reviewed by India Today's Open-Source Investigation (OSINT) team suggest that a VVIP aircraft matching the description used by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was present at the Nur Khan airbase around the time of the Indian Air Force (IAF) strikes on May 10, highlighting the strategic sensitivity and vulnerability of the country's most important Nur Khan Air Base, located adjacent to Islamabad, supports both Pakistan Air Force (PAF) operations and serves as the principal hub for the country's top VVIP air imagery from space company Satellogic provided exclusively to India Today TV by Earth intelligence platform SkyFi, provides new details of the events, which took place at Pakistan's most high-profile air base. The Pakistan government uses a white Gulfstream G450 (G-IV-X) almost exclusively for the Prime Minister, President and Foreign Ministers. The IAF targeted the air base in Rawalpindi that likely destroyed a command and control unit, satellite pictures showed. Satellite image of the Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi destroyed. advertisementThe aircraft in the imagery matches the profile of Pakistan's VVIP transport, notable for its length, tail shape and rear-mounted engines. It also lacks the visible blue tail marking the other Gulfstream operated by the Pakistan Army, often used by its army chief, General Asim PM'S PUBLIC MOVEMENTS ALIGN WITH AIRCRAFT PATHSThe subsequent movement of the aircraft further supports its identification. On May 12, the aircraft flew from Lahore to Sialkot using the PAK02 callsign, typically reserved for the Prime Minister. The destination and timing align with the PM's publicly reported travel. Flight tracking data shows movement of VVIP Gulfstream matching Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's public itinerary. Two days later, the same aircraft flew to Beijing using the PAK03 callsign, consistent with the Foreign Minister's itinerary. Flight tracking data shows movement of VVIP Gulfstream matching Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's public itinerary. Pakistan operates three Gulfstreams for VVIP use. At the time of the IAF strikes, data indicates that two Gulfstreams could have been present at the Nur Khan base while the other was positioned in Lahore. The satellite imagery taken hours after the impact, however, shows only one at the Rawalpindi base. Flight tracking data shows movement of VVIP Gulfstream matching Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's public itinerary. REFUELLING TANKER ACTIVITY SEEN AFTER STRIKEThe same Satellogic imagery also reveals the presence of an Il-78 aerial refuelling tanker at Nur Khan following India's strike, indicating active military operations from the base even after the incident. The Il-78 is a key asset for in-flight refuelling and supports deep-strike or extended patrol operations by fighter Khan is not just an airbase, it is the nerve centre for Pakistan's VVIP and high-level military aviation. Its proximity to Islamabad, and its dual-use role, make it one of the most sensitive air installations in the the available satellite imagery following the strike has indicated absolute precision by the IAF so far, with no visible missed targets at any of the evidence offers context to why Pakistan sought a ceasefire so swiftly on May 10. The exposure of top government aircraft and aerial refuelling assets at the country's most critical base may have underscored the risk of further decision to strike with precision, without expanding the scope to high-value leadership targets, also suggests a deliberate signalling of capability without provocation - a message clearly received. IN THIS STORY#Pakistan#India-Pakistan#Operation Sindoor
