The Ukrainian military announced that they successfully intercepted a Russian Tu-22M3 bomber plane. They claim this on Friday, but Russia has rejected it. According to Russian officials, the aircraft crashed due to a technical malfunction while it was returning to its base. The crash occurred in a remote area of the southern Stavropol region, which is far away from the Ukrainian border.
The Russian defense ministry stated that three crew members were rescued after ejecting from the aircraft. However, the search for the fourth crew member is still ongoing. Unfortunately, one of the rescued pilots, as reported by Stavropol Governor Vladimir Vladimirov, passed away.
A video purportedly showing the Russian bomber being downed circulated widely on the internet. However, the authenticity of the footage could not be immediately verified.
This morning, a Russian Tu-22M3 bomber crashed outside of Stavropol.
Footage of the Russian bomber falling, burning and in a flatspin: pic.twitter.com/QJ5yg1vtSU
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) April 19, 2024
Insights on the Tu-22M3 ‘Backfire’ Bomber
1. The Tu-22M3, designed by Tupolev, is a long-range supersonic missile carrier bomber used for targeting both sea and ground-based objectives with guided missiles and aerial bombs. NATO commonly refers to it as the “Backfire.”
2. These bombers have been accused by Ukraine and its Western allies of being frequently deployed by Russia for bombing missions in Ukraine. They are equipped to carry Kh-22 cruise missiles, which have the capability to carry either nuclear or conventional warheads.
3. The Tu-22M3 prototype took its first flight in 1977. A more modernized version, the Tu-22M3M, with enhanced tactical effectiveness and an increased operational radius, flew for the first time in December 2018.
4. Constructed from various strong materials like aluminum alloys, high-strength heat-resistant steel, titanium, and magnesium alloys, the Tu-22M3 features variable-swept low wings that can sweep through angles ranging from 20 to 65 degrees.
5. As per the 2024 Military Balance report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Russia’s air force operates a fleet of 57 Tu-22M3 bombers.
Russian Airforce vs. West’s Advanced Missile Systems
While Russia’s air force holds significant superiority over Ukraine’s, the advanced missile systems provided by Kyiv’s Western allies pose a considerable threat.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly appealed for increased Western air defense systems, as Ukrainian authorities anticipate a significant Russian offensive in the upcoming summer months.
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