Espreso. Global

Ukraine’s strike on Kazan aircraft plant raises doubts over Russia’s production capabilities

20 January, 2025 Monday
14:13

Reports have emerged that on the night of January 20, 2025, Ukraine’s Defense Forces used long-range kamikaze drones to strike the Kazan Aircraft Production Association (KAPO), the manufacturer of Tu-22M3 and Tu-160 strategic bombers

client/title.list_title

According to Defense Express, while publicly available information currently only confirms the fact of a UAV strike on the Kazan Aircraft Production Association (KAPO), the incident raises important questions about Russia's ability to produce new Tu-22M3 and Tu-160 bombers, presenting a paradox in their defense industry.

As Defense Express reports, Russia currently lacks the capacity to produce brand-new Tu-160 and Tu-22M3 bombers from scratch. Instead, to assemble what it labels as "new" aircraft of these types, Russia relies heavily on Soviet-era "stockpiles" that have been dormant at KAPO for decades. This process is often referred to as "reproduction" in Russian propaganda circles.

Specifically, regarding the Tu-160, Defense Express notes that between 2022 and 2023, Russia assembled three bombers under the Tu-160M designation using these Soviet-era reserves. Furthermore, prior to February 2022, one operational Tu-160 aircraft was undergoing modernization at KAPO, also being designated as Tu-160M.

The paradox lies in the fact that these four Tu-160M bombers, capable of carrying up to 12 cruise missiles each, are now expected to enter service with the Russian Aerospace Forces only in 2025. This delay comes despite the fact that all four planes were initially scheduled for delivery by 2023.

This suggests that there are likely issues with the engines and onboard systems of these bombers, leaving KAPO formally able to present the completed Tu-160Ms to the military, but rendering them unusable for their intended purpose. Instead, they’ve been used merely as props during propaganda events, such as Putin’s visit to the Kazan plant in February 2024.

The situation surrounding the modernized Tu-22M3M becomes even more puzzling. Defense Express notes that the first Tu-22M3M variant was rolled out in 2018, and the second followed in March 2023. However, these remain the only two aircraft of this variant. Despite this, KAPO's leadership announced by late 2023 an ambitious but unrealized plan to equip all operational Tu-22Ms in the Russian Aerospace Forces with aerial refueling probes.

The significance of the Kazan Aircraft Production Association, as Defense Express highlights, cannot be overstated. KAPO is one of Russia's largest defense industry enterprises, employing as many as 8,500 people. The recent strike on this facility, therefore, raises concerns not just about the production of these bombers, but also about the overall stability of Russia's defense industry and its capacity to maintain and modernize its aerospace fleet.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Thursday
13 February
22:00
Exclusive
Heart of Ukraine: interactive Valentine’s Day installation unveiled at Kyiv’s railway station
21:45
Exclusive
'Starved and tortured': freed Azov fighter reveals horrors of Olenivka prison
21:31
Exclusive
Putin, Zelenskyy will not get everything they want, but peace will be achieved — U.S. Defense Secretary
21:20
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12
Russian army returns to using armored vehicles near Pokrovsk – Ukrainian military
21:10
OPINION
Operation against Poroshenko: strategic move to divide society
20:57
Exclusive
Ukrainian intelligence destroys Valdai radar near Moscow: expert explains how
20:42
Exclusive
Sanctions against Poroshenko might be politically motivated before elections - MP
20:24
U.S. sanctions ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan who issued Putin arrest warrant
20:11
Exclusive
Ukraine risks future war as Trump rejects NATO membership and security guarantees
19:56
Fico publishes photo with Putin, says calls Ukraine and EU are "losers"
19:40
Exclusive
Many EU politicians see Ukraine ceasefire as done deal — Espreso correspondent from Brussels
19:25
'Nothing discredits Hungarian officials more than their actions': Ukraine’s MFA on Budapest’s accusations
19:10
Exclusive
"Approaching Mariupol, we realized this was a real major invasion": former POW told about city's defense
18:55
Press release
Kostiantyn Zhevago considers sanctions imposed on him illegal - businessman's press service
18:41
Exclusive
Russian military drills ahead of February 24 were wake-up call - released Azov fighter
18:25
'Any deal made behind our backs won’t work': Kaja Kallas on negotiations with Russia
18:07
'Poland, Europe, entire West need full cooperation': Tusk urges ending disputes over Ukraine
17:51
Hungary’s Orbán slams EU statement on Ukraine peace talks as 'worthless'
17:34
Trump must be more realistic on Russia talks — Ukrainian MP on Trump-Putin call
17:16
Trump's British ally Farage backs Ukraine joining NATO despite past criticism
16:54
Russia deliberately targeted Mariupol shelters marked "Children" and "Civilians" — Azov soldier, released from captivity
16:33
Moldova recovers Russian drone wreckage, summons Russian ambassador
16:15
Two newest Russian radar systems explode near Moscow
15:54
Exclusive
No reason to say Ukraine's fate will be decided behind its back — military expert
15:35
China suggests Putin-Trump summit as solution to end war against Ukraine
15:16
Russia denies talks of recognizing Crimea, occupied territories as Russian in Trump-Putin call
14:53
Secret Gravehawk air defense system for Ukraine unveiled – and it's not what you'd expect
14:40
Ukraine’s parliament work blocked by MPs protesting political repression
14:21
Ukraine's role crucial in peace talks after Trump-Putin call, NATO chief says
13:56
Zelenskyy imposes sanctions against Ukraine’s former President Poroshenko
13:38
Exclusive
"Unprecedented case in nuclear energy history": Expert on Ukraine buying reactors from Bulgaria
13:15
Poland warns Ukraine not to expect NATO invitation to “fall from the sky”
12:54
Trump's ex-advisor: Kremlin drinks vodka straight from bottle after Trump-Putin talk
12:35
Around 7,000 civilians remain in Ukraine’s Pokrovsk as evacuation continues
12:15
Review
Return to pre-war borders is unrealistic: New Pentagon chief's statements at Ramstein and Ukraine's stance. Serhiy Zgurets' column
11:52
Russian forces block water and humanitarian aid deliveries to civilians in frontline areas
11:35
"Putin would say he won": Trump says he'll keep supporting Ukraine
11:16
Russian civilians evacuated to Ukraine after Russia’s deadly strike on shelter
10:54
116 clashes occur at front on Feb. 12: Russia launches over 5,000 strikes on Ukraine
10:33
European countries and Ukraine demand a say in any peace talks
More news