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600 km on foot through enemy territory: the Main Intelligence Directorate revealed the details of the destruction of the TU-22

Ukrainian scouts under the leadership of Colonel Oleh Babii made a valiant march of 600 km through enemy territory in August of last year to destroy and disable three Russian TU-22M3 bombers. Information about this operation was made public by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, reports

This marked the first time Ukraine destroyed a Russian strategic bomber, and it was also reported that a drone attack on the Shaykovka airfield in the Kaluga region damaged at least one plane.

“In order to destroy enemy planes, our scouts covered more than 600 km of enemy territory,” the GUR statement said.

During this critically important mission, the group commander, Colonel Oleg Babii, died heroically.

“The last task, which Oleg Babii’s squad successfully completed, was not only the destruction of three TU-22M3s, but also the serious derailment of the plans of the Russian military leadership regarding missile attacks on Ukraine. This significantly destabilized the operation of air bases and the basing of long-range aviation,” the GUR notes.

While returning to Ukraine, the group was ambushed by Russian troops, and in an unequal battle on August 30, 2023, Oleg Babii covered the departure of his comrades and was mortally wounded.

For his great feat, Babii was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine with the Golden Star Order.

The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia, Oleg Babii organized and conducted special operations in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and behind enemy lines. He carried out nine reconnaissance missions behind enemy lines and twelve special operations for the coordination of the resistance movement in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and in the territory of the enemy.