Overview
- Russian officials said a Tu-22M3 long-range bomber crashed during a training flight on Monday in the Irkutsk region and that all four crew members successfully ejected.
- Irkutsk governor Igor Kobzev and the Defence Ministry said the aircraft went down near Kamenka/Svirsk by the Angara River, was unarmed at the time, and caused only a localized fire of about 400 square meters.
- Local residents and multiple outlets circulated unverified video showing the bomber in a steep nose dive and a large plume of smoke, while emergency services and medical teams found and treated the crew.
- A commission from Russia’s Aerospace Forces has opened an investigation and early reports cite possible engine failure as a preliminary cause, but officials have not released definitive findings.
- The loss adds to several recent Tu-22M3 accidents and base attacks that have reduced an already limited fleet, increasing maintenance pressure and eroding Russia’s long-range strike capacity.