**Russia Concentrates Military Aircraft at Olenya Airbase**
The Russian airbase on the Kola Peninsula has seen a large concentration of military aircraft. Since 2022, this base has been used to attack Ukraine with bombers taking off from there and flying to the Caspian Sea before launching missiles.
According to satellite images, 45 military aircraft are now stationed at Olenya airbase, which is near NATO borders. The largest deployment since the start of the conflict in Ukraine could be a sign that Russia is preparing for massive strikes on Ukraine. However, it’s also possible that this activity is related to routine aircraft maintenance.
**List of Aircraft Present at Olenya Airbase**
– 10 Tu-95MS strategic bombers
– 35 Tu-22M3 long-range bombers
– 5 An-12 military transport aircraft
– 3 Tu-134UBL training aircraft
– 4 Mi-8 helicopters
Experts have differing opinions on why this concentration of aircraft is happening. Some believe that Russia is preparing for a spring offensive and wants to show its strength. Others think that the large number of aircraft could be due to maintenance or redeployment.
**Possible Reasons Behind Russian Activity**
The base’s location, near NATO borders, means that any activity there will be closely monitored by Western intelligence agencies. This reduces the element of surprise and makes it harder for Russia to use the airbase in an aggressive way.
Some experts believe that Russia is testing the West’s reaction while preparing for a potential escalation. Others think that Moscow might be demonstrating its strength without actually planning anything big. The exact intentions behind this activity remain unclear.