Russia lost another Tu-22M3 bomber in the Irkutsk region, marking a significant blow to its air force.
A Technical Malfunction
According to Tech the Tu-22M3, a crucial asset in Russia's strategic bomber fleet, went down during a training mission over Siberia.
Initial reports from Russian officials suggest that the crash was due to a "technical malfunction" and not related to any Ukrainian military actions.
The Tu-22M3 bomber is a key element of Russia's long-range aviation capabilities, capable of carrying up to 24 tons of armament, including Kh-32 and Kh-22 missiles.
These missiles pose a particular threat to Ukraine due to their extended range and difficulty to intercept. The Tu-22M3 can also be equipped with Kh-15 or Kh-47M2 Kinzhal cruise missiles, with ranges up to 2,000 km.
Less than 57
Military experts have highlighted the challenges Russia faces in maintaining its fleet of these bombers.
According to Oleg Katkov, a military analyst, it is difficult to estimate how many Tu-22M3s Russia currently has operational.
As of mid-2023, reports indicated that Russia had 57 of these bombers, but that number has likely decreased due to recent losses.
Two Tu-22M3s were destroyed earlier this year—one in April and another in August. Additionally, two more were damaged in July during a Ukrainian strike on Olenya airbase.
Katkov also noted that Russia's ability to maintain these aircraft is hampered by the fact that engines for the Tu-22M3 have not been produced since 1996.
