Bomber crash in Russia claims pilot's life amid technical fault
A strategic bomber Tu-22M3 crashed in the Irkutsk region, the crew ejected, and the pilot died, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. The aircraft fell in an uninhabited area. Preliminary findings suggest the crash was due to a technical failure.
- The crash occurred on Wednesday before 1 PM Eastern Time in the Irkutsk region of Russia. The Tu-22M3 bomber fell in an uninhabited area.
- There were four crew members on board. One of the pilots died, while the rest of the crew managed to eject.
- The cause of the crash was a technical failure. The aircraft hit power lines, causing power outages.
The crash occurred on Wednesday before 1 PM Eastern Time in the Irkutsk region of Russia.
Crash in Russia. The strategic bomber fell to the ground
According to Russian media, there were four crew members aboard the bomber - it is currently known that one pilot died. During the crash, the aircraft hit power lines, resulting in a power outage in the area. The bomber was not armed.
The Tupolev Tu-22M3 is a Russian supersonic long-range bomber capable of carrying nuclear and conventional weapons. It represents an advancement of earlier Tu-22 models, designed for increased speed, range, and payload. This aircraft can perform strike, anti-ship, and reconnaissance missions.
Reports suggest that the price of a single unit could be as much as $300 million.
Russians regularly attack Ukraine with them
These machines are regularly used for missile attacks on Ukraine.
The Tu-22M3s have also been targeted by Ukrainian defensive actions. On April 19, 2024, the Ukrainian armed forces reported shooting down a Russian Tu-22M3 over the Stavropol region, marking the first such incident since the beginning of the conflict.
