Russians Placing Car Tires on Bombers for Protection

Russian pilots are employing unconventional measures like placing car tires on aircraft to safeguard them from aerial threats.

Military observers have shared an image that reveals Russians are using car tires to shield the upper surfaces of Sukhoi Su-34 "Fullback" fighter bombers from Ukrainian kamikaze drones.

Furthermore, satellite imagery from Maxar, captured at Engels Airbase deep within Russia, depicts Tu-95 and Tu-160 strategic bombers adorned with tires placed on top of their airframes. This approach appears to be a makeshift effort to safeguard these aircraft from potential Ukrainian drone attacks.

Forbes has pointed out that this represents the latest instance of Russia resorting to ad hoc methods to protect its military assets by employing readily available materials. In Ukraine, tank crews have taken to welding steel cages onto their turrets to counter the threat posed by loitering munitions, also known as "kamikaze drones." Additionally, wooden logs have been placed on the sides of tanks for added protection.

CNN had previously reported that Ukraine has been increasingly audacious in targeting strategic assets within Russia through aerial assaults in recent weeks, despite facing its own challenges as its cities come under attack. This marks a new phase of the conflict, characterized by Kyiv's apparent efforts to erode domestic Russian support for the war.