A Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bomber crashes in Russia

The Russian Aerospace Forces have lost a Tu-22M3 bomber as a result of an accident.

Russian aviation Telegram channel Fighterbomber (Ilya Tumanov) reported on this.

Local media reports that the war machine crashed near the village of Buryat, Usolsky district, Irkutsk region.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the crew ejected, and the pilot was killed.

It is possible that the aircraft was assigned to the Belaya air base and was part of the 326th Heavy Bomber Ternopil Division of the 37th Air Force.

On August 15, 2024, a Tu-22M3 crashed in the Irkutsk region. The plane crashed near the village of Mikhailovka, 100 meters from the federal highway R-255.

The Tu-22M3

The Tu-22M3 made its first flight in 1977 and entered service in an updated form in 1989.

The last aircraft of this type was produced in 1993. The aircraft has a crew of four and can carry three Kh-22 or Kh-32 missiles.

Its length is 42.45 meters, height is 11.05 meters, and the wingspan varies depending on the flight mode.

Two NK-25 engines provide a thrust of 14.5 thousand kilograms in normal mode and 25 thousand in afterburner mode.

Without refueling, the aircraft can cover up to 7 thousand kilometers and with a maximum load – 2.4 thousand. As of 2024, the Russian Aerospace Forces had 56 such aircraft in service.