Tu-22M3 bombers targeted in Operation Spider’s web fall into 2 categories: 1️⃣ Derelict airframes in long-term storage—covered in moss, missing parts, clearly out of service. 2️⃣ Operational jets—clean, maintained, with support gear nearby, stored in revetments. 3/6
What are the key visual clues? Engineering tools and tire coverings. 🟥 Not in running condition: Covered in old tires. 🟩 Working: Few/no coverings, easy access for rapid launch. This reveals a Russian trade-off: protection vs. readiness under pressure. 4/6
The FPV drones were equipped with flexible linear-shaped charges. These copper-lined warheads do not produce a pointed stream of molten metal. Instead, they create a linear molten jet - capable of slicing through structures, such as aircraft, with surgical precision. 5/6
📡 SAR blackout Post-strike analysis revealed radar interference over Olenya Airbase. Using Bellingcat’s Radar Interference Tracker, analysts spotted a telltale "X" pattern pinpointing a 2017-era radar system at the missile defence HQ as the likely source. 6/6
Conclusions: This thread is a compilation of verified reports and fresh analysis by members of Tochnyi, a collective dedicated to delivering careful and accurate analyses on the war in Ukraine. 📹 YouTube (youtube.com/@Tochnyi) 🌐 Explore more at our website for deep dives & updates. (tochnyi.info)