Long-Range Aviation
The strategic bomber command — the Tu-95MS, Tu-160 and Tu-22M3 fleets that carry the cruise-missile campaign against Ukrainian infrastructure.
Broad area of activity
Cruise-missile launches from deep Russian and Caspian airspace.
Notable history
Has carried the long-range cruise-missile campaign against Ukrainian cities and the power grid since 2022, its bombers firing from sanctuary distances — while its airfields deep inside Russia became publicly documented targets of Ukrainian long-range drones from the war's second year.
Strengths
Standoff reach that Ukrainian air defence cannot answer at the launch point; a large cruise-missile magazine sustained by wartime production.
Limitations
A small, ageing and effectively irreplaceable bomber fleet whose basing has been repeatedly shown vulnerable to cheap deep-strike drones.
Campaigns
Campaigns naming this organisation as a participant. The campaign record owns the relationship and grades it; this list is computed.
- The strategic campaign against Ukraine's electricity system Primary force · Since October 2022 · moderate confidence · as of 2026-06
Long-range aviation is the delivery means for the cruise-missile component of the campaign.
Campaign involvement
Strategic campaign against Ukraine's grid begins
Massed missile and Shahed-drone salvos against power infrastructure open a recurring seasonal campaign to break civilian endurance through winter darkness and cold.
Assessed as of2026-07Last reviewed2026-07
See this force in the structure Interactive: select this record and follow what connects to it.