A Ukrainian drone strike has inflicted serious damage on Russia’s strategic air fleet, disabling over 10% of its long-range bombers and surveillance planes, according to Germany’s military.

German Major General Christian Freuding revealed that more than a dozen aircraft—including TU-95 and TU-22 bombers and A-50 surveillance planes—were hit at multiple airfields, including Belaya and Olenya. The affected A-50s, crucial for aerial situational awareness like NATO’s AWACS, are now deemed unusable—even for spare parts.

“These are not just operational losses. Some of these aircraft were being readied for strikes on Ukraine,” Freuding stated in a podcast.

Strategic Bombers Part of Russia’s Nuclear Triad

Freuding confirmed the targeted bombers are part of Russia’s nuclear triad, responsible for delivering nuclear weapons by air. “This significantly weakens Russia’s long-range capability,” he added. The United States estimates that around 20 aircraft were hit, 10 destroyed.

The strike marks one of Ukraine’s most damaging long-range operations to date, reportedly involving AI-guided drones launched hundreds of kilometers from Russian borders.

Russia Forced to Reassess Homeland Security

The attacks pierced deep into Russian territory—some just 100 kilometers from Moscow—revealing major gaps in Russian airbase defenses. Freuding said Russia “felt safe on its own territory,” but the strike will likely force an overhaul of airbase security nationwide.

“This was a psychological shock as much as a material loss,” he added.