Satellite images made by @Maxar before Ukraine's big drone strike operation show Russian airfields in Belaya, Ivanovo, Ukrainka, Olenya & Ryazan Dyagilevo, as well as close-up views of bomber, transport and airborne warning aircraft.
Maxar writes: "At each of the five airbases, defensive measures have been observed on many of the planes, presumably in an attempt to protect the aircraft from drone attacks by placing tires and other objects on the top of the wings. Additionally, the use of decoy aircraft was also seen at the airbases including painted aircraft outlines on the tarmac and materials positioned in the shape of bomber aircraft."
A thread. 🧵
1. overview of belaya airbase, May 22
2. objects on Tu 22 aircraft at belaya airbase, May 20
3. Tu 160 bombers and decoy painted on tarmac at belaya airbase, May 20
4. Tu 160 bombers at belaya airbase, May 20
5. tires and objects on Tu 22 aircraft at Belaya airbase, May 20
6. decoy Tu 22 aircraft at Belaya airbase, May 20
7. decoy aircraft at Belaya airbase, May 20
8. decoy aircraft Belaya airbase, May 20
📸: @Maxar
@Maxar 9. overview of Ivanovo airbase, May 3
10. A50 awac aircraft with tires and debris on wings, Ivanovo airbase, May 3
11. Il 76 aircraft with tires and debris on wings, Ivanovo airbase May 3
12. overview of Ukrainka airbase, May 27
📸: @Maxar
13. Tu 95 with objects on wings and decoy painted on tarmac, Ukrainka airbase, May 27
14. Tu_95 with objects on wings, Ukrainka airbase, May 27
15. overview of Ryazan Dyagilevo airbase, May 9
16. Il 76 aircraft with objects on wings and decoy aircraft painted on tarmac, Ryazan Dyagilevo airbase, May 9
📸: @Maxar
@Maxar 17. Tu 95 and Il 76 aircraft with tires and objects on wings Ryazan Dyagilevo airbase, March 9
18. overview of Olenya airbase, May 23
19. Tu22 with objects on wings Olenya airbase, May 23
📸: @Maxar
Share this Scrolly Tale with your friends.
A Scrolly Tale is a new way to read Twitter threads with a more visually immersive experience.
Discover more beautiful Scrolly Tales like this.