A HIGH-LEVEL delegation from the Russian air force has visited Ukraine to negotiate the return of Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack and Tupolev Tu-95MS Bear long-range bombers. The aircraft were retained by Ukraine following the break-up of the Soviet Union.
The team was led by Lt Gen Anatoly Proskurin, the chief of staff of the Long-Range Strategic Aviation command. The aircraft are at the Uzin and Priluki bases in Ukraine, along with an unspecified number of Kh-55 (AS-15 Kent) cruise missiles.
Return of the aircraft would virtually double Russia's long-range aircraft-strike capability.
The Ukrainian air force has never operated the aircraft; in part because of a lack of spares and fuel. Proskurin met Lt Gen Vladimir Antonets, commander of the Ukrainian air force, agreeing a protocol covering the aircraft.
This states: "Taking into consideration the ever-growing expense to keep the aircraft in operational condition, the issue of transferring/accepting the aircraft has to be resolved not later than the first quarter of 1995."
The Russian Government is willing to underwrite part of Ukraine's fuel debt in exchange for the aircraft.
Source: Flight International
