Ukraine Downs Russian Tu-22M3 Strategic Bomber

One of the Tu-22M3 long-range bombers, which reportedly carried out a missile attack against Ukraine on the night of April 19, was shot down in a special operation conducted by Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence in cooperation with the Air Force.

The Russian Tu-22M3 was downed approximately 300 kilometers from Ukraine using the same methods employed to destroy a Russian A-50 long-range radar detection and control aircraft on February 23, 2024. Sustaining damage, the bomber managed to reach the Stavropol Region before crashing.

After Tu-22M3 was shot down, another aircraft intending to attack Ukraine turned back. This was reported by the representative of Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence Andriy Yusev on April 19.

"Another aircraft, which was following the Tu-22M3, was forced to turn back. And it means that another series of missiles was not launched at Ukraine," Yusov explained.

Why is this important?

TheTu-22M3 long-range bombers, based at the Mozdok airfield, are capable of carrying Kh-22 missiles, which have a range of over 1,000 kilometers and can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads.

This marks the first successful destruction of a Russian strategic bomber during an active combat mission since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.