IRKUTSK, Jun 16 (V7N) – A Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashed during a training mission in the Irkutsk region of Siberia, Russian defense authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the aircraft went down while descending for landing during a routine training flight. Officials said the bomber was not carrying any ammunition at the time of the accident, and no damage or casualties were reported on the ground.
The ministry stated that a special investigation team from the Russian Aerospace Forces has been dispatched to the crash site to determine the exact cause of the incident.
Local authorities reported that emergency response teams, including rescue personnel and firefighters, quickly arrived at the scene after the aircraft crashed in a remote forested area.
Russian officials confirmed that all four crew members successfully ejected from the aircraft before impact. They were later rescued and transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment. Their conditions have not yet been officially disclosed.
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show the bomber descending almost vertically before crashing into a wooded area, triggering a massive fireball and sending thick black smoke into the sky.
Irkutsk Region Governor Igor Kobzev said preliminary information suggests that an engine malfunction may have caused the accident. However, investigators have cautioned that no final conclusions have been reached and that the official inquiry remains ongoing.
The Tu-22M3 is a long-range supersonic strategic bomber originally developed during the Soviet era. Known by the NATO reporting name "Backfire," the aircraft remains a key component of Russia's long-range aviation fleet.
The bomber has been used extensively in Russian military operations over the years, including missions in Syria and during the conflict in Ukraine.
Russian defense officials said further details will be released as the investigation progresses.
END/SMA/AJ
