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10 Tu-95s and Navy rattle Ukraine in first huge blow in months
Ukrainian officials reported a major Russian missile operation on March 7, deploying 10 Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bombers and Black Sea warships in a strike that targeted energy and gas infrastructure across the country. The barrage, the first large-scale missile assault in months, unfolded in two waves before dawn, with explosions reported from Ternopil in the west to Kharkiv in the east.
According to Ukrainian military sources, the assault began around 4 a.m. local time, with a second wave of missiles entering airspace by 6 a.m. Suspilne, Ukraine’s public broadcaster, reported explosions in Ternopil around 5 a.m., followed by blasts in Kharkiv at 6:30 a.m. In Poltava Oblast, a central region, a missile struck two residential buildings, injuring an adult and a child, though their conditions remain unclear, local officials said.
Ternopil Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Nehoda told reporters that a critical infrastructure site in his region was damaged, potentially disrupting gas supplies. “Emergency crews are assessing the situation,” Nehoda said, adding that restoration efforts were underway.
A damaged gas pipeline in Poltava Oblast further complicated the response, with no immediate estimate of repair timelines. Ukrainian air defenses were active nationwide, though officials have not released data on how many missiles were intercepted.
Central to the operation was the Kalibr cruise missile, a long-range weapon deployed by Russian forces from naval platforms in the Black Sea. Developed by the Novator Design Bureau and introduced in the early 2000s, the Kalibr, or 3M-14, is a subsonic missile designed to evade detection by flying at low altitudes, often between 50 and 150 feet above the surface.
The Kalibr family includes several models tailored to specific platforms. The 3M-14T, used by surface ships such as frigates, offers extended range and is often paired with the 3M-14K, a submarine-launched version compatible with vessels like the Kilo-class.
An export variant, the 3M-14E, sacrifices range for a smaller footprint, but the missiles fired on March 7 likely drew from the full-capability domestic versions, given the reported launch points and target types. “The Kalibr’s versatility makes it ideal for this kind of operation,” said Michael Kofman, a senior research scientist at CNA, a defense think tank. “It’s built to hit infrastructure deep behind lines with minimal warning.”
Deploying 10 at once—a significant number—suggests a coordinated effort with the Black Sea fleet. “Seeing that many Tu-95s aloft is unusual,” said Mark Schwartz, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general with the Cohen Group. “It amplifies the naval strikes and stretches air defenses thin.” Ukrainian estimates put the total missile count between 30 and 40, a figure awaiting official confirmation.
This operation recalls a major strike on November 17, 2022, when Russian forces launched over 90 missiles, including Kalibrs, and dozens of drones against Ukraine’s energy grid. That attack, one of the war’s largest single-day barrages, disabled power stations and left millions without electricity as winter approached.
The timing of the latest strikes stands out. They mark the first significant Russian missile offensive since Zelensky met Trump at the White House on February 27, a discussion that yielded no firm commitments on aid or intelligence sharing. Trump called the talks a step toward “peace,” while Zelensky described them as “productive,” offering little detail.
A subsequent report by The New York Times on March 5, citing unnamed U.S. and Ukrainian officials, noted a pause in American intelligence support to Kyiv, reducing warnings about incoming threats. “That gap likely played a role,” a senior Ukrainian defense official told the Times, speaking anonymously due to operational sensitivities. Air raid alerts on March 7 sounded with limited lead time in some regions, reflecting the strain.
Halushchenko pledged that repairs would continue “around the clock,” a commitment echoed by local officials. “We’re managing, but it’s a heavy lift,” he said. In Kharkiv, where frontline residents are accustomed to bombardment, the latest strikes added to an already long list of repairs, though specifics on damage were pending.
The operation’s aftermath left Ukrainian officials scrambling to quantify the toll. No comprehensive report emerged by midday, but the geographic spread—from western foothills to eastern plains—suggested a calculated effort to strain resources. For Kyiv, the strikes underscored a persistent vulnerability, even after months of relative calm in missile campaigns.
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
In late February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, escalating a conflict that had simmered since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. The initial assault targeted major Ukrainian cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Mariupol, with the Russian forces aiming for a quick victory.
However, the Ukrainian military and civilian resistance proved unexpectedly resilient, leading to prolonged urban and trench warfare. International sanctions were swiftly imposed on Russia, and NATO countries increased military support to Ukraine, significantly altering the dynamics of the conflict.
The destruction of infrastructure led to humanitarian crises, with shortages of food, water, and electricity in various regions. Global attention remained high, with numerous diplomatic efforts attempting to broker peace, yet none yielding substantial results.
By mid-2024, the conflict had transformed into a war of attrition, with both sides suffering from military fatigue and economic strain. The international community’s response varied, with some advocating for continued support to Ukraine to maintain its sovereignty, while others pushed for negotiations to end the bloodshed.
The war’s impact was felt worldwide through energy market disruptions, increased food prices, and shifts in global alliances. Despite the ongoing violence, cultural resistance in Ukraine grew stronger, with art, music, and literature becoming powerful symbols of defiance and national identity.
Humanitarian aid continues to pour in, though the effectiveness of these efforts is hampered by the ongoing hostilities. The war has become a defining issue of the early 21st century, highlighting the complexities of modern warfare, international law, and the resilience of the human spirit amidst adversity.
BulgarianMilitary