Yes, it's been odd. By using them to attack Ukraine constantly ever since Spiderweb, Russia has thrown away the West’s perception of the Tu-160s as; "Don't touch them, they're strategic nuclear bombers". Previously, Tu-160s only made rare appearances in the war.
Cruise missiles aside, Defense Express pointed out last year that the TU-22 also faces major maintenance problems. Their engine was last manufactured in 1996. Its production line is long gone. Their ageing airframes can't help either. It might only take one critical part to, for example, suffer catastrophic metal fatigue and then the entire fleet is grounded. If there are no spares for that part, they stay grounded.
Yes, it's been odd. By using them to attack Ukraine constantly ever since Spiderweb, Russia has thrown away the West’s perception of the Tu-160s as; "Don't touch them, they're strategic nuclear bombers". Previously, Tu-160s only made rare appearances in the war.
Cruise missiles aside, Defense Express pointed out last year that the TU-22 also faces major maintenance problems. Their engine was last manufactured in 1996. Its production line is long gone. Their ageing airframes can't help either. It might only take one critical part to, for example, suffer catastrophic metal fatigue and then the entire fleet is grounded. If there are no spares for that part, they stay grounded.
(https://defence-ua.com/army_and_war/skilki_u_rf_virobljajut_tu_22m3_ta_skilki_jih_zalishilos-16332.html)