Key facts
- A Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashed during a training flight in Siberia.
- The crash occurred in the Irkutsk region near the village of Kamenka.
- The aircraft's crew successfully ejected and are reported to be safe.
- The bomber was not carrying any munitions at the time of the incident.
- There was no damage to the ground as a result of the crash.
A Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashed on Monday in Siberia's Irkutsk region during a training flight, according to the Russian Defence Ministry. The aircraft, code-named "Backfire" by NATO, is capable of carrying hypersonic Kinzhal missiles and has been used in combat missions in Syria and Ukraine. Unverified social media footage depicted the plane nose-diving into a wooded area near the Angara river, generating a large smoke plume. The Defence Ministry confirmed that the crew ejected safely and that there was no threat to their lives or health. The aircraft was not carrying a combat load, and no damage occurred on the ground. The governor of Irkutsk, Igor Kobzev, stated that emergency services were on the scene near the village of Kamenka.