In a current incident, a Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashed, as proven in movies circulated by each Ukrainian and Russian sources. The crash web site was recognized because the Stavropol Area of Russia, positioned over 300km away from Ukraine. Russian assets point out that each pilots efficiently ejected from the bomber. The precise explanation for the crash stays unsure, however the principle mostly touted is “because of a technical malfunction”.
The Ukrainian discourse means that the defective Tu-22M3 was concerned in a missile strike on Odesa earlier the identical day. Based on a tweet from Ukraine Battle Map, the crash occurred “after firing a Kh-22 missile over Odesa”. Within the quick video clip making rounds on the web, you possibly can see the burning aircraft descending quickly, with intense flames trailing from the rear finish the place its two engines are positioned. There’s no sight of any ejected pilots on this explicit clip, however given its transient 12-second length capturing the ultimate moments of the aircraft’s life, the pilots’ ejection wouldn’t seemingly have been included anyway.
Claims
Reviews from Ukraine’s Air Protection Command counsel a big victory of their battle with Russia. They declare their air protection system efficiently intercepted and destroyed a Russian Tu-22M3, together with two Kh-22 missiles following an assault on Odessa. Assuming these stories are verified, this occasion would mark the Kh-22’s first downing for the reason that struggle’s initiation.
Some Ukrainian media retailers attribute the profitable downing of the Tu-22M3 to GUR operation, carried out utilizing a Soviet S-200 anti-aircraft missile system. As reported by RBC Ukraine, “It’s the S-200 air protection system, enhanced by the knowledgeable crew of the Principal Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Protection of Ukraine, that has reportedly been utilized.”, in response to their sources.
There are additionally unconfirmed stories stating the dying of a fourth member of the Tu-22M3 crew. “The fourth member related to the Tu-22M3 navy aircraft that crash-landed within the Stavropol area isn’t any extra, as per supply 112,” is the assertion printed by eRadar on its Telegram channel. The Voenny Osvedimittel, a pro-Russian Telegram channel, has additionally strengthened these claims of the fourth crew member’s dying in its posts.
Russian Ministry of Protection
In gentle of current occasions, the Russian Ministry of Protection has issued an official assertion attributing the crash of the Tu-22M3 to an surprising technical glitch. Moscow revealed that the unlucky incident occurred through the return journey to the plane’s house base airport.
The Russian navy additional asserts that they’ve efficiently positioned and rescued three out of the 4 crew members. On the time of issuing this press launch, the standing of the fourth crew member was nonetheless unknown, with the assertion noting, “Three crew members have been efficiently evacuated by the designated search and rescue crew, with ongoing efforts to find and rescue the ultimate pilot.”
Additionally value noting is that the protection forces categorically deny any munitions being onboard the crashed bomber, supporting Ukraine’s assertion that the plane was on an airborne task. The assertion continues, “The Tu-22M3 went down in a abandoned space, inflicting no collateral harm to surrounding habitats. Preliminary info means that the foundation explanation for this accident was a technical malfunction.” In the meantime, the regional governor has made a public assertion confirming the crash of the Tu-22.
About Tu-22M3
The Tupolev Tu-22M3, often known as Backfire C by NATO, is a supersonic, variable-sweep wing, long-range strategic and maritime strike bomber developed by the Tupolev Design Bureau through the Chilly Warfare. It’s a vital a part of the Russian Air Pressure’s arsenal and is typically seen as a logo of Russia’s navy would possibly.
The Tu-22M3 measures roughly 42.4 meters in size, with a wingspan of 34.28 meters when totally unfold and 23.30 meters when swept again. It stands about 11.05 meters excessive. The plane has a most takeoff weight of 124,000 kilograms, and it is powered by two Kuznetsov NK-25 turbofan engines, every offering a thrust of 25,000 kilograms.
When it comes to avionics, the Tu-22M3 is provided with a Leninets PN-A radar for navigation and bombing, a separate tail-warning radar, and an OPB-15T optical bombing sight. It additionally features a modernized navigation system, a brand new radar with a phased antenna array, and an digital warfare system.
Tu-22M3’s vary and armament
The operational vary of the Tu-22M3 is spectacular, with a most vary of about 6,800 kilometers with out refueling. This enables it to hold out long-range strategic missions. Its most pace is roughly Mach 1.88 [2,300 kilometers per hour] at excessive altitude.
The Tu-22M3 is armed with a wide range of missiles for various mission profiles. Its main armament is the Kh-22 stand-off missile, which might carry both a traditional or nuclear warhead. It additionally carries the Kh-15, a short-range, supersonic missile. Extra lately, the Tu-22M3 has been upgraded to carry the Kh-32, an anti-ship missile designed to focus on massive naval vessels. The plane additionally has a GSh-23 cannon mounted in a tail turret for self-defense.
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
On February 21, 2022, Russia said that its border facility was attacked by Ukrainian forces, ensuing within the deaths of 5 Ukrainian fighters. Nevertheless, Ukraine rapidly dismissed these allegations, labeling them as ‘false flags’.
In a notable transfer on the identical day, Russia introduced it formally acknowledged the self-proclaimed areas of DPR and LPR. Curiously, in response to Russian President Putin, this recognition lined all of the Ukrainian areas. Following this declaration, Putin despatched a battalion of Russia’s navy forces, tanks included, into these areas.
Quick ahead to February 24, 2022, international headlines had been dominated by a vital incident. Putin commanded a forceful navy assault on Ukraine. Led by Russia’s spectacular Armed Forces positioned on the Ukrainian border, this assault wasn’t spontaneous however a premeditated motion. Regardless of the circumstances resembling a struggle, the Russian authorities refrains from utilizing this time period. They’d quite confer with it as a “particular navy operation”.
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