August 6, 2025 | 09:21 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The geopolitical tensions between Russia and the United States have intensified after Russian President Vladimir Putin deployed four heavy Tu-95MS nuclear bombers to a location closer to Europe, particularly near Ukraine.
These strategic aircraft are often used to target Ukraine, and according to Insider UA, the planes have been equipped with missiles, indicating a "high possibility" of a large-scale attack, as cited by the Daily Mail.
Deployment of Nuclear Bombers
This move comes after a directive from Donald Trump to deploy two U.S. nuclear submarines closer to Russian territory in response to nuclear war threats issued by Dmitry Medvedev, a close ally of the Kremlin leader. On Sunday evening, Trump stated that the U.S. nuclear submarines are now in the right position.
As a precautionary measure, President Putin relocated the Tu-95MS strategic bombers from the Olenya air base in the Arctic region of Murmansk after a daring drone attack by Ukraine on June 1. The aircraft were also withdrawn from the Engels-2 base in the Saratov region due to increasing concerns about Ukrainian attacks.
The aircraft were then moved to the Ukrainka air base in the Amur region, approximately 3,650 miles east of Moscow, which is considered safer from potential attacks. However, some of the planes have returned to the western region.
A report stated, "Russia has transferred bombers from the Far East closer to Ukraine. At least 4 Tu-95MS aircraft were redeployed from Ukrainka [air base] to Olenya/Engels-2. Some of the aircraft are already equipped with cruise missiles," as cited by the Daily Mail.
These aircraft are part of Russia's nuclear arsenal but are also used to carry out conventional bombing in Ukraine. Meanwhile, on Monday, Ukraine's Security Service announced its success in destroying a Russian fighter jet and damaging four other military aircraft in the Crimea region, which Russia currently controls.
Escalation of Threats between Russia and the U.S.
In an official statement, it was reported that a Su-30 aircraft was destroyed, while another plane was damaged. In addition, three Su-24 bomber jets were also targeted. This incident occurred a week before Steve Witkoff, the U.S. President's special envoy, was scheduled to visit Russia on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
The visit took place amid U.S. threats to impose new sanctions on the Kremlin if there is no progress towards a ceasefire and peaceful dialogue to end the conflict.
Trump stated that the initiative for the meeting with Witkoff came from Putin's regime and set a deadline of Friday for Russia to end the war. On the other hand, Russia tried to downplay Dmitry Medvedev's statement accusing Trump of increasing the risk of war between Russia and the United States.
"Every new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country," Medvedev said. Trump considered the statement extremely provocative.
According to Al Jazeera, Trump's frustration is becoming increasingly evident, with threats of new sanctions while condemning Russia's military actions in Ukraine as "disgusting." Trump also announced that his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, currently in the Middle East, would soon visit Russia.
President Putin was reported to have met with Witkoff several times in Moscow before Trump's attempts to improve relations with the Kremlin came to a complete halt. Washington gave Moscow until the end of next week to stop hostilities in Ukraine, under the threat of severe economic sanctions. Trump reiterated this deadline on Thursday.
Earlier, Trump warned that the new sanctions could involve "secondary tariffs" targeting Russia's trading partners such as China and India. Although it would further pressure Russia, this move also risks significant international disruptions.
The U.S. President began his second term with optimism that the war in Ukraine, which has been raging since Russia's invasion in February 2022, would soon come to an end. However, in recent weeks, Trump has become increasingly vocal about his frustration with Moscow's relentless attacks.
Meanwhile, Putin stated that Russia desires "lasting and stable peace" in Ukraine. He affirmed that Russia's peace conditions remain the same, while Kyiv continues to call for a leaders' summit. Despite pressure from Trump, Putin steadfastly refuses calls to halt his military operations, which have been ongoing for nearly three and a half years in Ukraine.
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