2024 Russia Air Force Tupolev Tu-22M crash

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2024 Russia Air Force Tupolev Tu-22M crash
Russian Air Force Tupolev Tu-22M-3 Krivchikov-1.jpg
A Tupolev Tu-22M similar to the accident aircraft
Accident
Date19 April 2024
SummaryCrash after being shot down
SiteBogomolov farm, Krasnogvardeysky Raion, Stavropol Krai, Russia
45°52′22.42″N41°22′27.17″E / 45.8728944°N 41.3742139°E / 45.8728944; 41.3742139
Aircraft
Aircraft type Tupolev Tu-22M
Operator Russian Air Force
Occupants4
Passengers0
Crew4
Fatalities2
Survivors2

On April 19, 2024, a Tupolev Tu-22M3 strategic supersonic bomber belonging to the Russian Air Force crashed in southern Russia's Stavropol Krai. The incident occurred after the bomber completed a combat mission. [1] [2]

Contents

Aircraft

The aircraft was a Soviet-Era Tupolev Tu-22M3, owned and operated by the Russian Air Force. [1]

Accident

On April 19, 2024, a Tupolev Tu-22M3 strategic supersonic bomber belonging to the Russian Air Force met with disaster in southern Russia's Stavropol Krai. The incident occurred after the bomber completed a combat mission, occurring in the Krasnogvardeysky district, approximately 300 kilometers (185 miles) from Ukraine's borders. The crew members managed to eject from the aircraft. Of the four Russian Air Force crew on board, Two were rescued, one killed, and one missing as of April 28. [3]

According to Ukrainian reports, the Tu-22M3 was returning from an air strike on Ukraine when it was shot down. The Ukrainian Air Force and the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine allegedly cooperated in bringing down the bomber. The HUR claimed that the Tu-22M3 was shot down at a distance of about 300 kilometers from Ukraine using the same means previously used to shoot down the Russian A-50U long-range radar detection and control aircraft. If confirmed as a “kill” by the Ukrainian Air Defense, this would be the first successful downing of a Russian strategic bomber since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. [3] [4]

Cause

There are conflicting reports about the cause of the crash. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Tu-22M3 experienced an engine fire that eventually led to the crash. However, Ukrainian sources asserted that the bomber was shot down in cooperation by the Ukrainian Air Force and the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. [3]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Accident Tupolev Tu-22M3". aviation-safety.net. Archived from the original on 2024-04-23. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  2. Suciu, Peter (2024-04-19). "Russia's Tu-22M3 Bomber Disaster Is Just Beginning". The National Interest. Archived from the original on 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  3. 1 2 3 Cenciotti, David (2024-04-19). "Russian Tu-22M3 Crashes In Southwestern Russia, Ukraine Claims It Was Shot Down". The Aviationist. Archived from the original on 2024-04-19. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  4. "Tupolev Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashes in Russia: video". 2024-04-19. Archived from the original on 2024-04-20. Retrieved 2024-04-25.