Satellite imagery from Planet Labs has confirmed the destruction of a Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber at the Engels-2 military airbase in the Saratov region following a long-range drone strike by Ukrainian forces. The images, dated July 19 and published by the investigative project Schemes (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty), show the aircraft sustained critical structural damage and appears to be effectively severed in half.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The visual evidence corroborates statements made on Friday, July 17, by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). The agency reported that its long-range drones traveled approximately 800 kilometers to strike the airfield, causing the bomber’s tail section to be completely torn off. According to the SBU, the operation was conducted to degrade Russia’s military and economic capabilities. “The SBU systematically destroys important elements of the Russian war machine,” the agency stated on Friday. “Every strategic bomber eliminated means dozens of missiles that will not be launched at Ukrainian cities, saved Ukrainian lives, and tens of millions of dollars in irreparable losses.” The SBU added that Russian strategic aviation can no longer operate safely even at its most remote airfields. President Volodymyr Zelensky previously praised the operation in a national address, characterizing the strike as a successful “long-range sanction” against Moscow.