Several channels linked to Ukrainian intelligence reported that the Russian Air Force experienced major technical failures during its latest missile attack on Ukraine between September 2–3. Of the 40 air-launched cruise missiles planned for strikes on cities in western Ukraine, only about eight were successfully launched.

According to the Telegram channel Dossier Spy, the Tu-160 “Ivan Yarygin” (Tail Number 04) was unable to fire its missiles due to a malfunction in the launch system, while another Tu-160, “Alexey Plokhov” (Tail Number 16), was struck by lightning mid-mission, damaging the cockpit glazing and forcing the crew to abort and return to base. A third aircraft, of an unspecified type, reportedly failed to take off from Engels Airbase altogether.