Key Points – Following Ukraine’s successful “Operation Spiderweb” drone strike on June 1st, which damaged or destroyed irreplaceable bombers, Russia’s Aerospace Forces (VKS) have begun dispersing their strategic fleet to protect the remaining assets.
-Tu-160 “Blackjack” bombers have reportedly been relocated to the remote Anadyr airbase in Russia’s far east, over 4,000 miles from Ukraine but only about 410 miles from Alaska.
-This move, while presenting logistical challenges for Russia, places these valuable aircraft out of reach of Ukraine’s current ground-launched drone tactics.
-It’s a paradoxical strategy that highlights how Moscow now perceives Ukraine’s immediate drone threat as more pressing than the proximity of its primary strategic adversary, the United States.
Tu-160 Near Alaska: Russia Dispersing Its Bombers After Operation Spiderweb
After Ukraine outfoxed Russian security forces and several irreplaceable bombers were destroyed or damaged during Operation Spiderweb, the Russian VKS (Aerospace Forces) have begun to disperse their heavy bombers, Tu-95 Bears, and Tu-160 Blackjacks to multiple locations, according to Defence Blog.
This action appears to be an effort to move these valuable aircraft “out of harm’s way” and reduce their vulnerability to future attacks.
One notable location where Tu-160s have been relocated is the remote Anadyr airbase, located in the Chukotka region near the Bering Sea. This airbase is over 6,750 km (4,218 miles) from the Ukrainian border, but only about 660 km (410 miles) from Alaska.
This was initially built during the Soviet era as a base for its strategic bombers and reconnaissance aircraft, intended to monitor US military activity in Alaska and the Bering Sea.
It has grown in importance as Moscow increasingly focuses on the strategic value of the Arctic, where it hosts other strategic assets, including Tu-95 Bear and Tu-22 Backfire heavy bombers.
Relocating the Tu-160s to distant airbases, such as Anadyr, is likely aimed at deterring further Ukrainian attacks. Still, it also presents logistical challenges, including sustaining fuel, munitions, and maintenance operations at such a remote location.
Anadyr Airfield (Ugolny) is supplied only by airlift and seasonal maritime deliveries, posing apparent limitations for sustained operations.
However, with no road access to the base, this removes the threat that preceded Ukraine’s attack via the truck delivery system from which the drones took off.
Regular Rotation Or True Dispersal Of Heavy Bombers:
While the movement of the aircraft can be considered dispersal, the placement of the bombers at this particular base is quite common. The Russian VKS uses this particular base to house Tu-160s, Tu-95s, and Tu-22s on a rotational basis.
Russia’s decision to move its aircraft to the edge of U.S. airspace could be interpreted as a strategic signal, demonstrating both vulnerability and a calculated move to protect its limited bomber fleet.
The geographic choice shouldn’t be as surprising as many see it to be. First, it is an airbase that the Russians use regularly, and second, despite its close proximity to the United States, Russia and the US are not at war, which means that the US isn’t going to attack them, any more than Russia will attack Alaska.
It is, however, somewhat ironic because it puts Russia’s military resources nearer to its main strategic adversary.
“It is, analysts say, a paradoxical strategy driven by short-term losses rather than long-term deterrence.”
Putin and the Kremlin now view Ukraine’s drone threat as a more immediate threat than the military power of Washington, given the new realities in Ukraine. And as they should. The US isn’t at war with Russia…yet.
Tu-160 Is Russia’s Most Valuable Combat Bomber:
The Tu-160 is by far the most valuable combat bomber aircraft in the Russian Aerospace Forces‘ fleet and has, since 2015, received considerable investment from the Defence Ministry to resume production.
The cessation of production after the USSR’s collapse, the subsequent destruction of many of the aircraft inherited by Ukraine due to Western pressure in the 1990s, and crashes in Russia that followed, means only 16 Soviet built Tu-160s are in service, falling far short of the fleet of 70 the Russian Aerospace Forces plan to field.
Production was reported in January 2023 to be set for significant expansion, following the first new Tu-160M bomber’s maiden flight in January 2022.
Substantial losses to the Tu-95MS strategic bomber fleet, resulting from Ukrainian attacks on June 1 during Operation Spiderweb, have only further increased Moscow’s urgency to protect and disperse the newer Tu-160 fleet and ensure the smooth operationalization of the 54 planned new aircraft.
Procurements may be further expanded should the PAK DA next-generation stealth bomber program, which is already very far behind schedule, face further delays or cancellation.
About the Author:
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
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