Fire at Russian military airport raises strategic concerns
A fire broke out at a military airport in Russia, leading to the destruction of a Tu-134 aircraft. These facilities, originating from the Soviet Union era, are among those utilised by the Russian Ministry of Defence. This was reported on Monday, 14th October by Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR).
14 October 2024 15:12
"On the night of 12th to 13th October 2024, a fire erupted in Russia, destroying a Tu-134 aircraft belonging to the 117th Transport Aviation Regiment of the aggressor state's armed forces. At the Orenburg-2 military airport, where this aircraft was stationed, a devastating fire occurred," states a message from HUR posted on Telegram.
Attack over 1,000 kilometres from the front
The Ukrainians have not disclosed details of the incident, but it is noteworthy that the strike on the Orenburg-2 airport implies that if the attack originated from the territory of the defending country, an unspecified weapon would have had to travel over 1,000 kilometres.
The Polish Press Agency recalls that since Moscow commenced its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, arson attacks on military facilities in Russia have become frequent.
Russian Tu-134
The Tu-134 is a medium-range passenger aircraft that became popular, particularly in the countries of the former Eastern Bloc. Production commenced in the 1960s, and the aircraft was a mainstay in airlines and many countries' armed forces.
The 1960s aircraft were not designed for military purposes and did not possess features that provided offensive capabilities. The Tu-134 cannot attack enemy units from the air and is not equipped for aerial reconnaissance (unlike the A-50, which has a special radar).
The Tu-134 is powered by two Soloviev D-30-II turbofan engines, which allow the aircraft to reach a maximum speed of approximately 900 kilometres per hour. The aircraft has a range of about 2,000 kilometres. With dimensions of 29 metres wingspan, 37 metres length, and 9 metres height, the Tu-134 weighs over 29,000 kilograms. Currently, the primary use of such aircraft is passenger transport.
As recently as 2020, the civilian operators of this Soviet-era design included North Korea, Syria, and the Russian Federation. Meanwhile, the armed forces of Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Russia utilized them for military purposes.
