Chuck Holton
Politics • Culture • News
Chuck Holton is an American war correspondent, published author, and motivational speaker.
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BREAKING: Did Russia Just Lose Half Its Strategic Bomber Fleet?

Published: June 1, 2025
By: Chuck Holton

In what may prove to be one of the most significant single blows to Russian airpower since the start of the war, Ukraine has reportedly launched a surprise drone strike that damaged or destroyed more than 40 Russian military aircraft—many of them nuclear-capable strategic bombers.

According to Ukrainian officials, the multi-pronged drone assault hit several airbases deep within Russian territory, including Engels and Mozdok—home to the Tu-95MS “Bear” and Tu-22M3 “Backfire” bombers. These platforms form a major part of Russia’s airborne nuclear triad. If the numbers are accurate, nearly 60% of Russia’s strategic bomber force may have been rendered inoperable overnight.

Let that sink in.

A Devastating Blow to Strategic Deterrence?

Russia’s long-range bomber fleet has always been one of its most visible symbols of power. The Tu-95, a Cold War-era workhorse, and the Tu-160 “Blackjack”, its modern supersonic counterpart, are both capable of launching nuclear cruise missiles from thousands of miles away. While the Tu-160 fleet is smaller—only about 13 aircraft—the bulk of Russia’s deterrent bombers are the 55 or so Tu-95s in service.

Additionally, there are roughly 27 Tu-22M3s that play both tactical and strategic roles. These were also reportedly targeted in the strikes.

If Ukraine’s claim that 40 aircraft were damaged or destroyed holds true, that’s a crippling hit to Russia’s long-range nuclear delivery capability.

How Did Ukraine Pull This Off?

This wasn’t a fluke. This was a coordinated, high-tech assault—likely involving long-range drones launched from both inside and outside Russia. Ukrainian sources have hinted that some drones may have launched from mobile platforms inside Russian territory, underscoring Ukraine’s growing sophistication in asymmetric warfare.

The attacks appear to have caught Russian air defense units off guard, raising serious questions about Russia’s internal security and the vulnerability of its critical military infrastructure.

The Geopolitical Fallout

This strike doesn’t just represent a tactical win—it’s a psychological and strategic victory. Russia’s nuclear triad depends on the credibility of all three legs: land-based missiles, submarine-launched missiles, and air-delivered weapons. Severely degrading one of those legs changes the strategic balance—at least temporarily.

Will this embolden NATO? Will it force Moscow to accelerate its reliance on missile or submarine deterrence? Or does it push Putin closer to the brink, where desperation could make him more dangerous?

What Happens Next?

Russia has yet to confirm the full extent of the damage, and it’s unlikely they ever will. But satellite imagery and independent assessments will emerge soon enough. Meanwhile, Ukraine has demonstrated a game-changing capability: the ability to reach far into the heart of Russia and target some of its most valuable military assets.

In a war where drones have already shifted the balance on the battlefield, this latest strike may be the biggest shift yet—not just in hardware, but in psychological dominance.

We’re watching history unfold.

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My erstwhile field producer and cameraman Dennis Azato has accompanied me on ten years of adventures across the globe. Today he joins me in Ukraine and we spend some time remembering our many trips together.

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Ceasefire?

I just received a report that Israel and Iran have agreed to a complete and total cease-fire starting six hours from now Not yet confirmed.

Iran fires back

Reports Iran has fired at US bases in Qatar and Iraq

I will be flying to Warsaw then but…

Donald Trump said he will address the Nation tonight at 10:00 PM at the White House

“IRAN must now agree to end this war”

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The Iran Strike Was Theater—But the War Is Real

Just after landing in Newark, New Jersey yesterday, my phone lit up: Iran was launching missile strikes on U.S. bases across the Middle East.

From Qatar to Bahrain, Iraq to Saudi Arabia, sirens sounded. But here’s the kicker: it was all a show. A carefully coordinated performance designed to look like retaliation—without triggering a real war.

Let’s break down what really happened.


 Iran’s "Lame" Attack: A Scripted Show of Force

Multiple credible sources—including the New York Times—have confirmed what I suspected as soon as I saw the headlines: Iran warned both the United States and Qatar hours before launching their missiles.

Bases were evacuated. Air defense systems were on alert. Qatar even shot down five out of six missiles headed its way. One landed harmlessly in the desert. No injuries. No deaths. No serious damage.

Why? Because this wasn’t a real counterattack—it was political theater. Iran needed to “do something” after its nuclear infrastructure was hit hard. But it didn’t want to provoke a full-scale war.

In the words of one regional analyst:

“This was Iran saying, ‘Okay, we retaliated. Now let’s move on.’”


Why This Still Matters

If nobody got hurt, why should we care?

Because this isn’t just about missiles. It’s about messaging—and momentum.

Iran, Russia, and China are experts at information warfare. They know how to craft a narrative, manipulate public opinion, and make Western leaders look weak.

This attack—timed, telegraphed, and deliberately ineffective—makes Iran look like it has bite, without risking escalation. Meanwhile, the Biden administration is caught in an awkward dance, trying to look tough while also coordinating “courtesy warnings” with the enemy.

Let me ask you: Is Iran our enemy, or not?
Because if they are, why are we playing along with this farce?


 The Bigger War You’re Not Seeing

This missile strike is just one front in a much bigger war—a war for your mind.

Social media is flooded with fake MAGA accounts, rage bait, and misinformation. It’s not random. It’s intentional. It’s designed to confuse, divide, and discredit American patriots.

Iran and its allies want chaos. Not just on the battlefield, but in your home, your news feed, and your head.

That’s why we can’t just watch passively anymore. We’ve got to fight smarter.


 Should the U.S. Strike Back?

That’s the million-dollar question. On one hand, this strike was so weak it barely deserves a response. On the other hand, if we don’t respond, we look like we’re in on the joke.

President Trump is reportedly monitoring the situation from the White House. As of now, no retaliation has been ordered.

But the pressure is building.

Israel continues to strike Iranian positions—including roads and access points to Fordow—possibly to prepare for agents on the ground conducting post-strike assessments. Meanwhile, Iran is setting up checkpoints, arresting civilians, and allegedly executing suspected spies.

The regime is feeling the heat. And it’s cracking down.


 What You Can Do

This is not just a news story—it’s a turning point. Here's what I want you to do:

  • Stay informed. Don’t trust the filtered media. Follow real-time sources like Chuck Holton

  • Call out the theater. Don’t let anyone sell you this as “retaliation.” It was coordinated nonsense.

  • Pray. For our troops, our leaders, and for truth to win.

  • Prepare. This isn’t over. It’s just the next chapter.

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When “Peace” is Worse Than War:
A Friendly Rebuttal to Pope Leo XIV

A few hours after the United States bombed key nuclear sites in Iran, Pope Leo XIV stood before the faithful and delivered a passionate plea for peace.

“War does not solve problems; on the contrary, it amplifies them and inflicts deep wounds on the history of peoples, which take generations to heal.
No armed victory can compensate for the pain of mothers, the fear of children, or stolen futures.
May diplomacy silence the weapons! May nations chart their futures with works of peace, not with violence and bloodstained conflicts!”

It’s a beautiful sentiment.

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I Told You It Was Coming: What I Predicted—and What Just Happened at Fordow

By Chuck Holton 

Yesterday, I went live from Armenia with a serious warning: A strike on Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility could happen at any moment. I laid out the why, the how, and the likely fallout.

Hours later—it happened.

This isn’t about saying “I told you so.” This is about waking up to the reality that we are living through a pivotal moment in history, and the threats aren’t just over there—they’re aimed directly at you.

Let’s break down what I predicted—and what just unfolded.

 

 


 WHAT I PREDICTED: A Strike on Fordow Was Inevitable

In my live update, I said:

  • Fordow is Iran’s most fortified nuclear site, buried deep under a mountain.

  • Only U.S. 30,000 lb bunker busters could penetrate it.

  • Israel may act alone—or coordinate with the U.S.—but action was coming.

  • Trump’s “two-week” delay might be a strategic head-fake.

  • The most likely window? A weekend strike to minimize market disruption and media blowback.

Guess what? Hours after I said it, missiles hit Fordow.

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