Russian Tu-22M3 Strategic Bomber Crashes in Siberia on Training Exercise
Details of the Tu-22M3 Bomber Crash
Incident Overview
MOSCOW, June 15 (Reuters) - A Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber plane crashed on Monday in Siberia's Irkutsk region during a training flight, the Russian Defence Ministry said, and the aircraft's crew had managed to safely eject.
About the Tu-22M3 Bomber
Capabilities and Armament
The Tu-22, which can carry hypersonic "Kinzhal" missiles and is code named "Backfire" by NATO, is a Soviet-era supersonic bomber that Russia has since used for combat missions in Syria and Ukraine.
Modernization and Missile Delivery
The Tu-22M3, a modernised version of the original Tu-22 plane, can deliver Kh-22 (AS-4 Kitchen) air-launched cruise missiles as well as the air-launched hypersonic Kinzhal "Dagger" missiles, according to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
Crash Aftermath and Response
Eyewitness Accounts and Media Footage
Unverified footage of the crash on social media showed a plane nose-diving into a thickly wooded area not far from the banks of the Angara river, producing a huge column of smoke.
Official Statements
Defence Ministry Statement
"The crew ejected. There is no threat to the pilots' lives or health," the Interfax news agency cited the Defence Ministry as saying. "There is no damage on the ground. The aircraft was flying without a combat load."
Regional Response
Irkutsk's governor, Igor Kobzev, said in a statement that the plane had crashed near the village of Kamenka, and that emergency services and medical personnel were on the scene providing necessary assistance.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Lucy PapachristouEditing by Andrew Osborn)
