It has been revealed how many "new" Tu-160 and Tu-22M3 aircraft have been built by Russia.

Currently, the Russian Federation lacks the capability to produce new Tu-160 and Tu-22M3 bombers "from scratch." However, Russians are utilizing components from the Soviet era.

This was reported by RBK-Ukraine referencing the portal Defense Express.

According to the publication, Russia is using Soviet-era components to create what are formally "new" bombers. These parts have been stored for decades at the Kazan Aircraft Plant (KAPO).

Specifically, in 2022-2023, Russia manufactured three Tu-160 bombers from these components, which were designated Tu-160M. It is also known that as of February 2022, one operational Tu-160 was "stuck" at the Kazan Aircraft Plant and has since been modernized.

Currently, it is reported that all four Tu-160M bombers are planned to be operational by 2025, although they were initially scheduled for 2023. One of the reasons for the delay is difficulties with engines and onboard electronic equipment.

According to Defense Express, the situation with the Tu-22M3 is even worse, as six airframes of these aircraft were observed at KAPO before February 2022.

"At most, two of the six airframes were used either as 'parts donors' or for the construction of the upgraded Tu-22M3M airframe," the publication states.

According to the publication, the first such aircraft was rolled out in 2018, and the second in 2023. These are all the existing Tu-22M3M bombers. However, in 2012, there were plans to modernize up to 30 Tu-22M3 bombers at KAPO by 2020.

Strike on the Oil Depot in Engels

Recall that on the night of January 8, explosions occurred in the Russian city of Engels, with local authorities and residents reporting drone attacks and air defense activity. It was also reported that a fire broke out at the oil depot near the city of Engels.

By January 14, Ukrainian Defense Forces struck the infrastructure of the Russian military airfield "Engels-2" again. This site hosts Tu-95MS and Tu-160 aircraft from the 22nd Heavy Bomber Aviation Division of the RF.