Russian strategic Tu-22M3 bomber crashes in Russia
Photo: Russian Tu-22M3 crashes in Irkutsk region (Russian media)
Today, June 15, a Russian supersonic long-range Tu-22M3 bomber crashed in the Irkutsk region, stated Russia's Defense Ministry, according to TASS.
The ministry said the crash occurred during the landing approach of the Tu-22M3 as part of a scheduled training flight.
Russian strategic Tu-22M3 bomber crashes in #Russia pic.twitter.com/n9qIDWIuSJ
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) June 15, 2026
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, "the crew ejected, and there is no damage on the ground."
Russian authorities also claim the flight was conducted without a combat load, and a commission from the main command of the Russian Aerospace Forces has been sent to the site of the incident.
According to the ASTRA Telegram channel, the bomber may have taken off from the Belaya airbase, which last year became one of the targets of Ukraine's unique operation Spiderweb.
The airbase is located about 30 kilometers from the crash site of the Tu-22M3.
Tu-22M3
The Tu-22M3 is a Soviet and Russian supersonic long-range missile-carrying bomber developed by the Tupolev design bureau.
The aircraft is designed to strike ground and naval targets using bombs and missiles. It is a modernized version of the Tu-22 bomber and was introduced into service in the 1980s.
The Tu-22M3 remains one of Russia's main long-range strike aircraft. It is capable of reaching supersonic speeds and conducting long-range missions.
During the war against Ukraine, the Russian military has repeatedly used these bombers to launch cruise missiles at Ukrainian territory. In particular, in January 2023, Russia launched a Kh-22 missile from a Tu-22M3 at Dnipro. As a result, part of a nine-story residential building collapsed.
