Part 7/10:
A critical question that arose was why these Russian bombers were left unprotected at airbases. Historical factors, such as commitments under arms control treaties like START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty), necessitated the transparency of strategic nuclear assets. This meant that bombers were required to be visible to satellite reconnaissance and could not be concealed in hangars or hardened shelters.
Despite Russia’s suspension of participation in the treaty framework, the prevailing belief was that remote locations offered an additional layer of security. However, the events of June 1 highlighted the outdated assumptions regarding their safety and the need for modernized defensive strategies.