A Russian strategic bomber, which has been used in combat missions in Syria and Ukraine, crashed in Siberia on Monday 15 June.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, a Tu-22M3 went down in Siberia’s Irkutsk region during a training flight. The ministry is not sharing further details about the crash. All four crew members aboard the bomber ejected safely before the crash occurred.
The jet flew without a combat load. The incident occurred when the plane landed.
Preliminary investigation points to engine failure as a potential cause behind the crash, according to Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobsev.
Videos purportedly showing the plane crash circulated widely on social media. The clip shows the bomber nose-diving into a wooded area near the Angara River, producing a huge plume of smoke.
The Kazan Aircraft Production Association (KAPO) manufactures the Tu-M22M3 aircraft for the Russian Armed Forces, which currently operate around 40-50 active strategic bombers. The jet costs about 100 million dollars per It remains one of Russia’s most important long-range attack aircraft.
The development comes amid hopes of a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, following an agreement on a cessation of hostilities between the United States (US) and Iran. President Trump had “good talks” with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
