According to Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, a Ukrainian drone destroyed a Tu-22M3 bomber, worth tens of millions of dollars, which also carried Kh-22 missiles.
Syrskyi stated that the Ukrainian drone attacked the Russian strategic bomber after it had landed at the Shakyivka military airfield in the Kaluga region of Russia. This occurred a few days ago. He added that the cost of the strategic bomber is approximately $100 million.
According to “Militarnyi,” the Shakyivka military airfield hosts Tu-22M3 strategic bombers from the 52nd Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment of Russia. These bombers regularly carry out missile strikes with Kh-22/Kh-32 missiles on Ukrainian territory.
Recently, members of the cyber community “Cyberborshno” published satellite images of this airfield, which clearly showed signs of drone strikes. One of the photos displays remnants of something that could be either a destroyed aircraft or a building. However, these remains are located in the area where the bombers are typically stationed. Together, this suggests that Ukraine’s defense forces may have successfully destroyed the Russian Tu-22M3 bomber.
The Tu-22M is a supersonic strategic bomber and missile carrier with variable-sweep wings. The Tu-22M3 is one of the two main modifications of this aircraft. It features more powerful and efficient engines, a new air intake duct design that allows for better wing load distribution, and an updated electrical system. These bombers have been used by Russia to attack civilian targets in Donetsk, Kharkiv, Odesa, and other regions of Ukraine. The Tu-22M3 can carry a variety of weapons, including Kh-22/Kh-32, Kh-15, and “Kinzhal” missiles, as well as FAB bombs, on its wing pylons, fuselage, and internal weapons bays.
The Ukrainian military has already achieved a significant victory in taking down Tu-22M3 bombers. The first such downing occurred on April 19th of last year, marking the first time since the full-scale invasion began that a Russian strategic bomber was destroyed. This aircraft also belonged to the 52nd Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment of the Russian Federation.
The operation was a joint effort by the Ukrainian Military Intelligence (HUR MO) and the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to the Ukrainian military’s report, the enemy aircraft was struck from a distance of about 300 km from Ukraine using the same methods previously employed to hit the Russian A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft. As a result of the strike, the bomber managed to reach the Stavropol region, where it crashed and was destroyed.
Source: militarnyi
