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The planes were AN-148 and an IL-20 aircraft, both belonging to the 354th Special Purpose Aviation Regiment, as well as a MI-28N helicopter.<\/p>\n
The latter had been actively engaged in countering Ukrainian drone attacks.<\/p>\n
Ukrainian intelligence said that the damage caused to aircraft would prevent them from being repaired any time soon, claiming the explosion hit the helicopter\u2019s tail. These claims have not been independently verified.<\/p>\n
The Directorate of Military Intelligence of Ukraine said the operation \u201ccaused quite a bit of hysteria in the higher [Russian] military corridors\u201d.<\/p>\n
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Speaking about the doomsday planes stored at the Chkalovsky base, Kryvolap said parts for these planes are hard to come by and could significantly impact Russia\u2019s defences.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThese planes were designed and manufactured individually.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey cannot be [manufactured] with plenty to spare. They have several modifications.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut in any case, the destruction of at least one such aircraft significantly affects the communication sphere, air defence, and missile defence.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Don’t miss… <\/strong> Kryvolap explained: \u201cDetailed information is protected as a Russian state secret. But it\u2019s known this is a modification of an IL-86 aircraft, a well-known wide-body passenger plane.<\/p>\n \u201cIt has closed portholes, increased airframe durability, fuselage, wings, and more stable landing gear.<\/p>\n “After this load and additional radio and electronic equipment, it became very heavy, so it needs quite a long runway.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd this is an aircraft that can start the launch sequence of Russia\u2019s strategic nuclear weapons.\u201d<\/p>\n Kryvolap said four of these types of planes have been built in Russia, but it is believed only one of them, is operational.<\/p>\n Ukraine\u2019s Main Intelligence Directorate said Russia looking for the culprits and has surpassed media reporting about the attack.<\/p>\n While Kyiv has not claimed responsibility for the attack at Chkalovsky, it came just days before another strike on Russia\u2019s Saky airbase in occupied Crimea.<\/p>\n
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