On April 19, 2024, a Tupolev Tu-22M3 strategic supersonic bomber belonging to the Russian Air Force crashed in southern Russia’s Stavropol region. The incident occurred after the bomber completed a combat mission. [1][2]
Aircraft
The aircraft was a Soviet-Era Tupolev Tu-22M3, owned and operated by the Russian Air Force, not much else is known about the aircraft. [1]
Accident
On April 19, 2024, a Tupolev Tu-22M3 strategic supersonic bomber belonging to the Russian Air Force met with disaster in southern Russia’s Stavropol region. The incident occurred after the bomber completed a combat mission The crash occurred in the Krasnogvardeysky district, approximately 300 kilometers (185 miles) from Ukraine’s borders. The crew members managed to eject from the aircraft. Of the four Russian Air Force crew onboard, Two were rescued, One was killed and One is still missing.[3] According to Ukrainian reports, the Tu-22M3 was returning from an air strike on Ukraine when it was shot down. The Ukrainian Air Force and the GUR of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine allegedly cooperated in bringing down the bomber. The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence claims that the Tu-22M3 was shot down at a distance of about 300 kilometers from Ukraine using the same means previously used to shoot down the Russian A-50U long-range radar detection and control aircraft. If confirmed as a “kill” by the Ukrainian Air Defense, this would be the first successful downing of a Russian strategic bomber since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. [3][4][5]
Cause
There are conflicting reports about the cause of the crash. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense (MOD), the Tu-22M3 experienced an engine fire that eventually led to the crash. However, Ukrainian sources assert that the bomber was shot down in cooperation by the Ukrainian Air Force and the GUR of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. [3]
References
- ^ a b "Accident Tupolev Tu-22M3 ,". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
- ^ Suciu, Peter (2024-04-19). "Russia's Tu-22M3 Bomber Disaster Is Just Beginning". The National Interest. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
- ^ a b c Cenciotti, David (2024-04-19). "Russian Tu-22M3 Crashes In Southwestern Russia, Ukraine Claims It Was Shot Down". The Aviationist. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
- ^ "Tupolev Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashes in Russia: video". 2024-04-19. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
- ^ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2024-04-25.