Russia lost another Tu-22M3 strategic bomber in the war in Ukraine. The supersonic jet was filmed crashing in flames and exploding near Highway R-255. Images on social media showed debris scattered across the area. Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has confirmed the loss of at least five strategic bombers.
According to Russian authorities, the cause of the accident was a technical malfunction. The incident took place in the Cheremkhiv district of the Irkutsk region of Siberia, which is thousands of kilometers from the front line and outside the conflict area, well beyond the more distant Ukrainian drone strikes in Russia.
First reports indicate that the entire crew managed to eject, but one of the four crew died, while the other three survived and were hospitalized in different states.
In early 2024, the IISS estimated that the Russian Air Force had 57 Tu-22M3 bombers in service, while Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate assessed that Russia maintained 27 operational units.
💥 Russia: Tu-22M strategic bomber crashed over Irkutsk region due to a “technical malfunction.” pic.twitter.com/j6WVp8Yky2
- Igor Sushko (@igorsushko) August 15, 2024
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