Tu-22M3 Strategic Bomber Crashes in Russia

The Russian Aerospace Forces lost a Tu-22M3 strategic bomber in a crash in the Irkutsk region.

Local Telegram channels reported the crash, citing eyewitnesses.

According to local residents, the crash occurred near the town of Svirsk: the bomber fell on the opposite side of the Angara River from the town.

Unfortunately, eyewitnesses reportedly saw the crew parachute out of the burning aircraft. According to the Mash channel, the bomber’s commander made contact, and the crew survived.

Падіння Ту-22М3 в Іркутській області 15.06.2026 pic.twitter.com/sostoQdCPk

— dimdim (@dimdim518484) June 15, 2026

It has been stated that the preliminary cause of the crash was engine failure during a routine training flight.

Given the crash site, the aircraft was likely assigned to the Belaya air base, located approximately 20–25 km from the crash site and part of the 326th Heavy Bomber Aviation Division of the 37th Air Army.

The Tu-22M3 made its first flight in 1977 and entered service in its upgraded 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, which are characterized by low accuracy but a very powerful warhead.

The last reported losses of this type of aircraft occurred as a result of the Security Service of Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb on June 1, 2025.