A Russian strategic bomber, used in combat missions in Syria and Ukraine, crashed in Siberia on Monday June 15.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, a Tu-22M3 crashed in the Irkutsk region of Siberia during a training flight. The ministry did not share further details about the accident. All four crew members aboard the bomber ejected safely before the crash occurred.
The plane was flying without combat load. The incident occurred as the plane was descending to land.
Preliminary investigation indicates that engine failure is a potential cause of the accident, according to Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobsev.
Videos showing the plane crashing circulated widely on social media. The clip shows the bomber diving into a wooded area near the Angara River, producing a huge column of smoke.
The Kazan Aircraft Production Association (KAPO) manufactures the Tu-M22M3 aircraft for the Russian Armed Forces, which currently operates approximately 40 to 50 active strategic bombers. The jet costs around $100 million per unit. It remains one of Russia’s most important long-range attack aircraft.
This development comes against a backdrop of hope for a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, following an agreement to cease hostilities between the United States and Iran. President Trump had “good conversations” with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
