The Armed Forces of Ukraine have successfully destroyed a Russian Tu-22M3 long-range bomber, valued at around $100 million (£80 million). The aircraft was struck by a Ukrainian drone just after landing, marking a significant blow to Russia’s military capabilities.
This incident was confirmed by Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, in an interview with LB, as reported by UNN. The Tu-22M3, a supersonic strategic bomber-missile carrier, had just landed when the drone strike hit, effectively rendering the bomber useless.
The Tu-22M3, an upgraded version of the Tu-22M, is equipped with powerful NK-25 engines and an ESUD-25 electronic control system, which provides more efficiency and better performance. These bombers are capable of carrying Kh-22 missiles, which were used by Russian forces in the January 2023 attack on a building in Dnipro, Ukraine.
This destruction comes on the heels of another incident involving a Russian Tu-22M3. Earlier in April, Russian media reported that one such bomber had crashed in the Irkutsk region, due to a technical malfunction. The crash led to a fire in a deserted area, but no casualties were reported. The Tu-22M3’s capability to carry Kh-22 missiles has made it a key asset in Russia’s long-range offensive operations, but this recent strike by Ukrainian forces demonstrates the growing effectiveness of their military operations.
