Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashes in Siberia
A Russian Tupolev Tu-22M3 supersonic bomber crashed in the Irkutsk Oblast region of Siberia on Wednesday.
The strategic aircraft was on a routine flight when it reportedly malfunctioned. All four crew members ejected, but one of the pilots did not survive.
The Air Force plane crashed into civilian structures and a power line.
Another bomber of the type had crashed in the same region in similar circumstances in August 2024.
The Tu-22M3, codenamed “Backfire” by NATO, is the second largest Russian bomber, behind only the Tupolev Tu-160 “Blackjack”.
The variable-sweep wing aircraft entered service in 1972 and was referred to as the Tu-26, but its correct designation was later revealed to be the Tu-22M, a modification of the Tu-22 bomber, although the two planes bear no resemblance.
Russia has been carrying out upgrade work on the remaining aircraft, focusing on new avionics and weapons, including hypersonic missiles such as the Kh-22 and Kh-32, which have been deployed over Ukraine.
The Russian Air Force had 57 Tu-22M aircraft in active service in 2024, according to intelligence reports.
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