On December 25, 2025, Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers took off from the Olenya air base on the Kola Peninsula and set off towards the Norwegian Sea. This deployment followed a massive terror raid against Ukraine conducted two days earlier by similar aircraft from the same base. During the Ukraine raid, the bombers launched cruise missiles, with external suspensions visible under their wings. The Norwegian military observed multiple bombers in the Norwegian Sea and adjacent Barents Sea, noting the operation involved more than seven bombers and was likely coordinated over several days. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the bombers operated with Su-35 fighter jet escorts and higher command support from other countries. Ukrainian and Russian military sources confirm the participation of several bombers from four Russian bases. The Olenya base has become a frequent target for Ukrainian retaliation strikes during their ongoing conflict, and the strategic bomber deployments from there are a critical part of Russian military operations.

On December 25, 2025, Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers took off from the Olenya air base on the Kola Peninsula and set off towards the Norwegian Sea. This deployment followed a massive terror raid against Ukraine conducted two days earlier by similar aircraft from the same base. During the Ukraine raid, the bombers launched cruise missiles, with external suspensions visible under their wings. The Norwegian military observed multiple bombers in the Norwegian Sea and adjacent Barents Sea, noting the operation involved more than seven bombers and was likely coordinated over several days. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the bombers operated with Su-35 fighter jet escorts and higher command support from other countries. Ukrainian and Russian military sources confirm the participation of several bombers from four Russian bases. The Olenya base has become a frequent target for Ukrainian retaliation strikes during their ongoing conflict, and the strategic bomber deployments from there are a critical part of Russian military operations.