A Russian Tu-22M3 long range strategic bomber has crashed in the Irkutsk region, resulting in the death of one crew member. The aircraft reportedly went down near the village of Buryat in the Usolsky district. The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed that the crew ejected before impact, but one pilot did not survive.
The Tu-22M3 is believed to have been assigned to the Belaya air base and part of the 326th Heavy Bomber Ternopil Division of the 37th Air Force. This is the second reported loss of a Tu-22M3 in the Irkutsk region in less than a year. On 15 August 2024, another aircraft of the same model crashed near the village of Mikhailovka, just 100 metres from the federal highway R-255.
The Tu-22M3, which first entered service in 1989, is a long range bomber used by the Russian military for missile strikes. It is capable of carrying three Kh-22 or Kh-32 missiles and has a range of up to 7,000 kilometres without refuelling. The aircraft, powered by two NK-25 engines, can operate at varying wing spans depending on the flight mode. The last of these bombers was produced in 1993, and as of 2024, the Russian Aerospace Forces had 56 such aircraft in operation.
Tu-22M3 Bomber Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Length | 42.45 metres |
| Height | 11.05 metres |
| Wingspan | Variable |
| Engines | Two NK-25 engines |
| Maximum Thrust | 25,000 kilograms (afterburner) |
| Maximum Range | 7,000 kilometres |
| Maximum Payload | Three Kh-22 or Kh-32 missiles |
| Crew Size | Four members |
The crash highlights ongoing issues with Russia’s ageing fleet of bombers, many of which have been in service for decades.
