Bitter for the Russians: Precious supersonic bomber crashes on meadow

Irkutsk (Russia) - The next blow for the Russian military. A Tupolev Tu-22M3 supersonic bomber has crashed in Siberia.

A Russian Tu-22M3 takes off. Now an aircraft of this type has crashed in Siberia. (archive picture)
A Russian Tu-22M3 takes off. Now an aircraft of this type has crashed in Siberia. (archive picture)  © PR/OAK Tupolev

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Tupolev was on a "planned flight" when the pilots lost control of the long-haul bomber on Wednesday evening.

The plane quickly lost altitude and crashed into a power line near the village of Burats. The result was a huge fireball. Witnesses claim to have heard several detonations.

The four-man crew were able to eject from the plane . One male crew member did not survive the emergency ejection.

210 houses and three public buildings were temporarily without power, according to the governor of the Irkutsk region.

Where the "planned flight" took the long-range bomber was not disclosed. However, it is known that Russia has stationed its Tupolev Tu-22M3 fleet at the Belaya airbase, probably out of concern about Ukrainian drone strikes. The crash site is located exactly in the approach path of the base.

The cause of the crash is believed to be a technical defect in the aircraft. The crew was considered to be extremely experienced.

After the accident, a fire broke out at the crash site. Meanwhile, a survivor is apparently trying to make a phone call. The pictures were distributed on Russian Telegram channels.
After the accident, a fire broke out at the crash site. Meanwhile, a survivor is apparently trying to make a phone call. The pictures were distributed on Russian Telegram channels.  © Montage:Telegram/Mash
The Russian Air Force reportedly has 57 operational Tu-22M3s.
The Russian Air Force reportedly has 57 operational Tu-22M3s.  © PR/OAK Tupolev
The aircraft is one of the Kremlin's most valuable weapons systems.
The aircraft is one of the Kremlin's most valuable weapons systems.  © PR/OAK Tupolev

Tupolev Tu-22M3 crashes in Siberia

The Tupolev Tu-22 (NATO code: Backfire) is a supersonic bomber with a long range and was designed during the Soviet era. The modernized M3 version of the swing-wing aircraft entered service in 1989. The aircraft can serve as a carrier system for cruise missiles and rockets, as well as nuclear weapons.

According to Russia, it most recently had around 60 of the swing-wing aircraft. However, many observers doubt this figure. The Ukrainian military portal"Defense Express" reports that the Russians only have around 30 operational Tu-22M3s. A shortage of spare parts and the fact that the supersonic aircraft's engines are no longer in production make the aircraft that are still airworthy extremely valuable.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine , the Russians are said to have lost at least five aircraft. Any further crashes are likely to hurt the Kremlin greatly.