Additional Coverage:
- Ukraine says it took out one of Russia’s supersonic strategic bombers for the first time (newsbreak.com)
In a significant first for the ongoing conflict, Ukraine has successfully shot down a Russian Tu-22M3 supersonic bomber, as claimed by Ukrainian military officials. The incident occurred in Russia’s Stavropol region, with the aircraft en route for an attack operation against Ukraine when it was intercepted.
Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile units, collaborating closely with the Main Directorate of Intelligence, were credited for the downing of the Tu-22M3. This aircraft, known for its strategic long-range capabilities, is designed primarily for delivering guided missiles and bombs against both ground and naval targets.
Footage that swiftly spread across social media platforms captures the moment the bomber, engulfed in flames, descends from the sky. In contrast, the Russian Ministry of Defense attributed the crash to a “technical malfunction,” without acknowledging the Ukrainian claim.
The governor of Stavropol confirmed the incident, reporting that two of the pilots managed to eject safely before the crash. However, the episode also resulted in tragedy as one pilot lost their life, and another is currently listed as missing.
Further raising the stakes, a spokesperson from the Ukrainian military intelligence disclosed that a second Russian aircraft opted to return to its base following the downing of the Tu-22M3, suggesting a momentary reevaluation of operational strategies by Russian forces.
The Tu-22M3 bomber has been a significant focal point for Ukrainian air defense systems, due to its frequent utilization in conducting airstrikes across Ukraine. With this successful interception, questions arise regarding the impact on the operational strength of the Russian air force, believed to possess 27 operable Tu-22M3 aircraft as per intelligence assessments.