Russia claims to have delivered two modernized Tu-160M strategic bombers to the Russian Aerospace Forces, a modest but politically significant addition to a long-range aviation fleet that has been used heavily to generate cruise missile strikes during the war in Ukraine.
The delivery was disclosed by Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov during a year-end meeting of the Defense Ministry board on December 17, 2025. According to Belousov, the Aerospace Forces had been “resupplied with two Tu-160M strategic missile carrier bombers,” though he did not provide tail numbers, handover dates, or details of the unit that will operate the aircraft.
Tu-160M, modernization and restarted production
The Tu-160 ‘Blackjack’ heavy bomber made its maiden flight in 1981 and entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1987. After the fall of the Soviet Union, the type remained one of the pillars of Russia’s airborne leg of nuclear deterrence.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia’s long-range aviation has also been used as a conventional strike tool, with bombers launching cruise missiles from Russian airspace toward targets across Ukraine.
The Tu-160M is the modernized variant of the Blackjack, incorporating updated systems intended to extend the aircraft’s service life and maintain its relevance. Reported upgrades include new avionics, a digital cockpit and updated engines, rather than a fundamental redesign of the airframe.
Russia has been pursuing two parallel efforts around the Tu-160: the modernization of existing aircraft and the restart of production at the Kazan Aircraft Production Association. The first newly assembled Tu-160M conducted its maiden flight from Kazan in January 2022.
Belousov’s statement did not clarify whether the two delivered aircraft are newly built airframes or upgraded legacy Tu-160s returning to service after modernization. That distinction is relevant, as Russia has at times drawn a line between refurbished aircraft and new production examples. However, no further details were released alongside the announcement.
Long-range aviation under pressure
The announcement comes as the war in Ukraine has put Russia’s long-range aviation under operational pressure. While Russia’s bomber force typically operates at standoff range, Ukraine has increasingly sought to hold it at risk on the ground, including through long-range drone attacks on air bases.
Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb targeted multiple Russian airfields deep inside the country and hit strategic bomber assets, including Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 aircraft, using pre-positioned short-range drones.
Against that backdrop, any new Tu-160M deliveries would help Moscow to replenish, at least incrementally, a high-value fleet that underpins its ability to launch cruise missiles at Ukraine from well outside the reach of most Ukrainian air defenses.