News

Ukrainian drone blows up Russian supersonic bomber

Published

2 years ago

August 22, 2023

In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, a Ukrainian drone strike has reportedly obliterated a prominent Russian long-range bomber, signaling a new level of engagement in the ongoing conflict between the two nations.

Images shared on social media platforms and analyzed by BBC Verify appear to depict a Tupolev Tu-22 engulfed in flames at the Soltsy-2 airbase, located to the south of St. Petersburg.

While Moscow asserts that the drone was indeed struck by small-arms fire but only managed to “damage” one of its aircraft, Ukraine has refrained from commenting on the incident.

Russian power

The Tupolev Tu-22, capable of reaching twice the speed of sound, has been extensively utilized by Russia to carry out attacks on Ukrainian cities, making it a high-value target for Ukrainian forces.

The Russian Ministry of Defence issued a statement, confirming that the incident occurred around 10:00 Moscow time (08:00 BST) on Saturday at a military airfield in the Novgorod region, where Soltsy-2 is situated. According to the Russian MoD, the “copter-type UAV” was detected by the airfield’s observation post and subsequently engaged with small-arms fire. The statement maintained that while one airplane was damaged, there were no casualties as a result of the attack. Additionally, it mentioned that a fire in the airfield’s parking area was swiftly extinguished.

Moscow’s denials

Contrary to Moscow’s account, images circulating on the Telegram social media platform portrayed a substantial fire consuming an aircraft that exhibited the distinctive nose cone of the Tu-22.

While the destruction of a single aircraft may not significantly diminish Moscow’s current fleet of 60 Tu-22 bombers, this operation underscores Kyiv’s growing capacity to target Russian territory deeply. In recent months, Kyiv has employed numerous fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles to strike Moscow, a journey spanning several hundred miles. Soltsy-2, the site of the attack, is approximately 400 miles (650km) from the Ukrainian border.

Ukrainian tools

However, the Russian MoD’s description of the drone as a “copter-type UAV” suggests it may have been a relatively inexpensive, commercially available device launched at short range.

The Tu-22, commonly referred to as “Backfire” by NATO, is a Cold War-era swing-wing supersonic bomber. Modern variants such as the Tu-22M3 can reach speeds of Mach 2 (2,300km/h or 1,430mph) and carry payloads of up to 24,000kg, including conventional bombs and guided missiles. These bombers have been deployed in various conflicts, including Syria, Chechnya, Georgia, and most recently, Ukraine.

News

SpaceX IPO could make Elon Musk’s Mars dream a trillion-dollar reality

SpaceX’s upcoming IPO could raise $25 billion and value the company over $1 trillion, igniting investor excitement for Mars missions.

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Harvey Vargas

SpaceX’s upcoming IPO could raise $25 billion and value the company over $1 trillion, igniting investor excitement for Mars missions.

Investors are buzzing as SpaceX gears up for a potential IPO, aiming to raise more than $25 billion, possibly as soon as June. The offering could value the company at over $1 trillion, fueling Musk’s ambitious plans for Mars and beyond.

Despite the high-risk nature of space ventures, demand from retail investors is expected to be strong. Experts predict this IPO could become historic, with the company’s market value potentially soaring past $2 trillion once it launches.

Musk’s unconventional management style hasn’t slowed investor enthusiasm, even amidst regulatory hurdles. The funds raised could also support groundbreaking innovations, including energy-efficient space data centers.

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#SpaceX #ElonMusk #IPO #MarsMission #Investing #StockMarket #TrillionDollar #SpaceTech

News

Russia shoots down 280+ Ukrainian drones as Zelenskyy pushes new peace plan

Russia claims 280 Ukrainian drones shot down; Zelenskyy finalizes a new peace proposal amid rising tensions and military clashes.

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Russia claims 280 Ukrainian drones shot down; Zelenskyy finalizes a new peace proposal amid rising tensions and military clashes.

Russia’s Defence Ministry claims it has shot down over 280 Ukrainian drones, with 40 intercepted near Moscow, some targeting the city directly. Emergency services responded to debris, and temporary flight restrictions were enforced at Moscow’s airports amid the attacks.

Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy revealed his team is finalizing a revised 20-point peace proposal, introducing new ideas on territorial control. Ukrainian and American officials are set to consult online, focusing on security guarantees rather than the detailed points of the plan.

As tensions rise, both military clashes and diplomatic efforts continue to shape the future of the conflict. Keep up with the latest updates and expert analysis on these unfolding events.

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#UkraineConflict #RussiaUkraine #Zelenskyy #DroneAttack #PeacePlan #Moscow #WorldNews #TickerUpdates

News

Disney invests $1B in OpenAI to generate Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar videos

Disney invests $1 billion in OpenAI for AI-generated videos featuring iconic characters, enhancing fan interactions and launching in 2026.

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Disney invests $1 billion in OpenAI for AI-generated videos featuring iconic characters, enhancing fan interactions and launching in 2026.

Disney is taking AI to the next level, investing $1 billion in OpenAI to create a licensing deal that allows users to generate videos featuring more than 200 characters from Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar. This partnership could redefine how fans interact with their favorite characters.

The deal will let users stream short AI-generated videos directly on Disney+, and ChatGPT will also produce images of Disney’s licensed characters. However, the agreement excludes talent likenesses or voices, keeping human performances separate.

Set to launch in 2026, the collaboration also gives Disney warrants to purchase additional OpenAI equity and use AI tools for product development, opening doors to new creative opportunities.

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