Russia confirms Tu-22M3 bomber crash after crew ejects in Irkutsk Oblast
Tu-22M3 bombers are used in Russia’s large-scale attacks on Ukraine. (Photo: Russian media)
A Russian Tu-22M3 strategic missile bomber crashed in
Irkutsk Oblast on June 15, several Russian Telegram channels reported,
including pro-Kremlin outlet Mash, ASTRA
and Ostorozhno, Novosti.
Russia’s Defense Ministry later confirmed the crash. The
ministry claimed the bomber went down while approaching for landing during what
it called a “planned training flight.” Moscow said the aircraft was not
carrying munitions.
The Russian military aircraft crashed near Svirsk in Irkutsk
Oblast.
Witnesses said they saw parachute canopies in the sky,
indicating the crew managed to eject before the aircraft went down.
After the crew ejected, the uncontrolled bomber crashed on
the banks of the Angara River. A fire broke out at the site, sending a column
of black smoke over the area.
What is known about the Tu-22M3
The Tu-22M3 is a Soviet-designed, later Russian, long-range
supersonic missile bomber with variable-sweep wings. Russia has extensively
used the aircraft in its full-scale war against Ukraine to launch Kh-22 and
Kh-32 cruise missile strikes on civilian and critical infrastructure.
On April 19, 2024, Ukraine shot down a Russian Tu-22M3
long-range bomber in midair for the first time during a combat sortie as it was
striking Ukrainian cities.
The downing was the result of a joint operation by Ukraine’s
HUR military intelligence agency and the Ukrainian Air Force. The aircraft was
hit about 300 kilometers from Ukraine with the same system previously used to
destroy a Russian A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft. NV sources said it
was a modernized S-200 air defense system. After the precision strike, the
burning bomber managed to reach only Russia’s Stavropol Krai, where it fell and
crashed. Of the four crew members, two survived, one was killed and another was
declared missing.
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