The Russian Tupolev Tu-95MS (NATO reporting name "Bear-H"), the highly updated heavy bomber that was designed on the Cold War era aircraft that first entered service in 1952, may be among the oldest aircraft designs still flying anywhere in the world, yet it continues to log the miles in the sky.

In the early hours of Friday, at least four of the bombers took off from the Olenya airfield in Russia's Murmansk Oblast – while other reports said it may have been as many as seven of the long-range aircraft – and they flew south to launch their long-range stand-off missiles at targets across Ukraine in a large-scale air attack.

Polish Military Headquarters announced via X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that it had scrambled fighter jets to ensure the safety of Polish airspace after Russia started to launch missiles. Just last weekend, a Russian cruise missile violated Polish airspace near the border with Ukraine.

In addition to the missiles launched from the Tu-95MS, Friday's strikes reportedly included a wave of drones and Iskander ballistic missiles fired from annexed Crimea, Belgorod and Kursk regions, which reportedly targeted facilities in the fuel and energy sector of Ukraine.

In total, 99 air weapons were launched of which 84 were destroyed by Ukrainian air defense, the Ukraine Air Force claimed via updates on the Telegram social messaging app.

This is most recent attack launched from the Olenya Air Base, located near the border with Finland and Norway, this year. The most recent prior sortie was on March 24. It was a nearly a year ago that the Russia's strategic air forces relocated nearly a dozen Tu-95 and Tu-160 long-range bombers to Olenya after the Engels Air Base in the Saratov region were targeted by Ukrainian drones.

Tu-95MS: An Old But Effective Platform

The Tu-95MS continues to be employed in attacks against Ukraine, and there is no indication it will be retired from service anytime soon.

As the only propeller-powered bomber in operation, it is far from the fastest aircraft, but it was designed so that it could fly a distance of 5,000 miles and strike targets within the United States from territory within the former Soviet Union. The current models have a reported range that is greater than 9,300 miles (15,000 km).

It was developed to be equipped with propeller-driven engines due to the fact that jet engines in the early 1950s simply burned through fuel far too quickly, and the Soviet Air Force lacked the capability to refuel its long-range aircraft in flight. The Tu-95 was meant to fly slow and steady, and the most recent version continues to do the same.

The Tu-95MS Bear-H is also the only frontline aircraft still equipped with a tail gunner's position! Even with the modernization efforts, the tail gunner still sits in a rear compartment that is isolated from the rest of the crew. It houses twin 23mm cannons that are meant to provide additional defense against fighter interceptors but lacks anything resembling creature comforts.

The Russian bomber has also been steadily upgraded as the MS variant, and it remains a key element of the air component of Russia's nuclear triad, while also serving in a maritime reconnaissance role. The airframes can even carry the Kh-101/102 stealth cruise missiles.

Despite the fact that the original Tu-95s first entered service 70 years ago, the aircraft wasn't actually deployed in combat until 2015 – when a pair of Tu-95MS bombers were used in a series of long-range airstrikes as part of the Russian military intervention in Syria, while it continues to be used in the Kremlin's dubious "special military operation" in Ukraine.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu.

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