Russia has said that it has flown nuclear-capable Tu-95MS strategic bombers in tough weather conditions, refuelling them at an altitude of nearly 20,000 feet and at speeds of nearly 350 mph.
The Russian Ministry of Defence said that the nuclear-capable aircraft flew at an altitude of over 6,000 metres (19,685 feet) and reached speeds of over 550 kph (342 mph).
The footage reportedly shows the Russian aircraft taxing onto a runway in snowy conditions and taking off. The aircraft can then reportedly be seen performing the refuelling manoeuvre before it can be seen coming back in to land.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Monday, 7th November, along with a statement saying: “Coherence at altitude: Tu-95MS flights were performed in the Amur formation of Long-Range Aviation in adverse weather conditions.
“During the flight missions, the crews performed takeoffs and landings, flights along the route and in a given area, as well as elements of interaction with the flight control team in low visibility, including at night.
“During the flight missions, the crews practised aerial refuelling. Refuelling was carried out at an altitude of more than 6,000 metres and at a speed of over 550 kilometres per hour.
“The engineering and technical staff worked out the elements of preparing aviation equipment for flights in conditions characteristic of a sharply continental climate, under the influence of high atmospheric pressure and air humidity.”
We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.
The revelation comes after the United States allegedly held talks with Russia on the risk of nuclear war in Ukraine.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan reportedly held talks with Putin aides to try to reduce the risk that the war in Ukraine could spill over or escalate into a nuclear conflict.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 258th day of the war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 8th November, Russia had lost about 77,170 personnel, 2,786 tanks, 5,654 armoured combat vehicles, 1,791 artillery units, 391 multiple launch rocket systems, 203 air defence systems, 278 warplanes, 260 helicopters, 1,476 drones, 399 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,216 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 159 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that Ukraine’s military forces are progressively pushing back Russian troops in the east and the south of the country.
Zelensky said “we are gradually moving forward” and added that Russians on the eastern front in the Donetsk region “die by the hundreds every day”.
The Ukrainian energy operator has told citizens to prepare for more blackouts as it tries to reduce strain on parts of the energy infrastructure that have been damaged by Russian missile and drone attacks.
Ukraine’s Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has said that the country has received more air defence systems from its Western allies, saying: “These weapons will significantly strengthen the Ukrainian army and will make our skies safer.”
Ukraine has accused Russian soldiers of occupying and looting empty homes in the city of Kherson in the south of the country in preparation for street fighting as Ukraine tries to retake the city from Moscow’s forces.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that 50,000 Russian soldiers who were called up as part of his mobilisation push are now fighting within combat units in Ukraine.
Putin added that a total of 80,000 troops from his mobilisation initiative are now “in the zone of the special military operation”, which is what the Kremlin calls the war in Ukraine, with the remainder of the nearly 320,000 recently mobilised forces currently training in Russia.
There is reportedly growing anger in Russia about what is being perceived as Putin’s willingness to throw hundreds of poorly trained conscripts on the frontlines.
Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Ukraine’s president, has said that his country had never refused to negotiate with Moscow and was prepared to negotiate with its future leader, but not with Putin.
Podolyak said: “Ukraine has never refused to negotiate. Our negotiating position is known and open.”
He added: “Is Putin ready? Obviously not. Therefore, we are constructive in our assessment: we will talk with the next leader.”
