Russia has problems with strategic bombers due to sanctions and lack of components - General Staff

This was reported by the spokesman for the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Andriy Kovalyov, in a telethon.

"Due to international sanctions, the Russian occupiers are facing real problems with weapons, especially with military aircraft," the spokesman said.

According to him, at the Khanskaya airbase Russians have started training, which will last for 6 months, for pilots of Tu-22 M3 and Tu-95 MR aircraft crews.

According to Kovalyov, the main reason for this was problems with extending the airworthiness of the aircraft, especially the Tu-22 M3, most of which have onboard systems that have reached the end of their useful life.

"Russians cannot buy new components abroad, and they have not been producing such parts for a long time, so such aircraft cannot be safely exploited," the spokesman added.

• In 2022, very tough sanctions were imposed on the aviation industry in Russia: most of the world's countries closed their skies to Russia’s planes, and lessors, mainly from Ireland and Bermuda, demanded that all aircraft be returned to their owners. These aircraft were also stripped of their flight safety certificates. Russia is trying to circumvent the restrictions and is actually starting to pirate the aircraft. They are also hastily re-registering them. However, this does not ease the impact of sanctions. So, at the moment, Russian airlines can only fly domestically and to a few "friendly" countries, and then only as long as the aircraft are in good technical condition, since foreign companies will not supply them with repairs or spare parts. Leading aircraft manufacturers also joined the sanctions.

• On September 14, the ICAO issued a "red flag" to Russia, indicating serious problems in civil aviation safety.

• On October 1, Russia was not re-elected as a member of the Governing Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) at the UN, and on October 4, it was finally expelled from the governing bodies of this most authoritative structure in the industry.

• Since the end of 2022, incidents with passenger aircraft have become more frequent in Russia. Sanctions have led to numerous breakdowns and accidents.

• In mid-March, it became known that Turkey, at the request of the United States, may stop refueling and servicing Boeing aircraft from Russia and Belarus.

• Due to sanctions, Russian airlines are forced to repair aircraft in Iran.

• In 2023, Aeroflot is forced to reduce its operations by almost 60%.