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Russian Tu-22M3 Bomber Crashes in Irkutsk; Crew Ejects Safely

The incident has prompted a military investigation and draws focus to maintenance and fleet-size strains in Russia’s aging Tu-22M3 bomber force.

Overview

  • A Tu-22M3 long-range bomber crashed during a training landing approach on Monday, June 15, and all four crew members ejected and were taken to hospital with injuries that were not described as life‑threatening.
  • Local officials placed the impact near the village of Kamenka close to Svirsk on the Angara River and said emergency teams contained a post‑crash fire to roughly 400 square meters with no reported damage to buildings.
  • The Defense Ministry said the bomber was flying without weapons when it went down, and a commission from Russia’s Aerospace Forces has been sent to investigate the scene.
  • Unverified social media videos show the aircraft in a steep nose‑down dive before impact, and regional officials have cited possible engine failure as a preliminary cause while formal findings remain pending.
  • Analysts note the crash reduces an already limited Tu-22M3 fleet that cannot be replaced in production and raises pressure on maintenance and operations for a bomber type that can carry Kh-22 cruise missiles and Kinzhal weapons.