Russian Tu-22M3 Nuclear-Capable Bomber Crashes in Irkutsk Region, Video

A Russian Tu-22M3 long-range bomber crashed in Russia’s Irkutsk region, according to Russian military aviation blogger Ilya Tumanov, who runs the Fighterbomber channel often associated with the Russian Aerospace Forces, on June 15.

“A Tu-22M3 crashed in the Irkutsk region. There is no information about the crew,” Tumanov wrote.

The circumstances of the crash and the condition of the crew have not yet been confirmed.

Russian media Astra confirmed the incident, citing an eyewitness and publishing additional footage.

UPD. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the crash, stating that the aircraft was undergoing a training mission, Russian state media TASS claimed. According to the Russian military, the crew ejected and survived.

The Tu-22M3, known by NATO as Backfire-C, is a Soviet-era long-range supersonic bomber and missile carrier designed by the Tupolev Design Bureau. The aircraft was built as a nuclear strike and maritime attack platform, with one of its main original missions being the destruction of enemy aircraft carrier strike groups.

The bomber is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear payloads. It can carry up to 24 tons of ordnance, including dozens of FAB-series bombs or heavy missiles such as the Kh-22 and its modernized Kh-32 variant.

The Kh-22 missile, one of the Tu-22M3’s signature weapons, can be fitted with either a conventional or nuclear warhead. Russia has repeatedly used Tu-22M3 bombers to launch long-range missile strikes against Ukraine during the full-scale war.

The aircraft has variable-sweep wings and can reach speeds of around 2,300 kilometers per hour, or approximately Mach 2.2.

Its operational range is estimated at up to 6,800–7,000 kilometers, with a combat radius of more than 2,400 kilometers.

The Tu-22M3 is operated by a four-person crew and remains one of the key heavy strike platforms in Russia’s long-range aviation fleet.

Earlier, the first known image of the upgraded Russian Tu-160M strategic bomber “Piotr Deynekin” emerged after its long modernization process. The emergence of the aircraft is drawing renewed attention to the real condition of Russia’s Tu-160 fleet and the pace of its strategic bomber modernization program.

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