“An engineer from the aviation plant in the central Russian city of Kazan, where the Tu-160 strategic bombers are developed and manufactured, fled to the United States and sought asylum in the country. In return, he offered valuable information,” wrote the New York Times.
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The man, accompanied by his family, crossed the border with Mexico at the end of December and surrendered. The technical specialist told representatives of the authorities that he was afraid of repression in his homeland because he was a supporter of the Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
After extensive checks, the Federal Bureau of Investigation found that the engineer could provide important information about the Russian Air Force’s most powerful fighter.
In the words of military expert Michael Kofman: This man has important data on the technical and tactical characteristics of the Tu-160
The Tu-160 is a strategic bomber. It was taken into service in the 1980s. Its latest modification (Tu-160M2) was completed on January 12, 2022.
The Russian armed forces actively use this type of aircraft for attacks in Ukraine. In order not to fall within the range of Ukraine’s air defenses, Tu-160s launch missiles from the territory of the Russian Federation.
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