A Tu-22M3 military aircraft that launched missiles at Ukraine a few hours ago has crashed in the Stavropol Krai of the Russian Federation. This was reported on Telegram by the governor of the Stavropol Krai, Vladimir Vladimirov.
"An aircraft crashed in a field in the Krasnogvardeyskiy district. According to preliminary reports, there was no damage or casualties, the pilots ejected," he said.
Later, Vladimirov said that two pilots from the plane had been found.
"They are alive, we are taking them to the hospital. All services have arrived at the scene," he wrote.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the crash of the Tu-22M3 in the Stavropol Krai.
"The aircraft crashed after completing a combat mission while returning to the base airfield. Preliminary, the cause of the accident was a technical malfunction. Three crew members evacuated, and the search for one pilot is ongoing. There was no ammunition on board the aircraft, no damage on the ground," the statement said.
Meanwhile, the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that a Tu-22M3 aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces, which launched missiles at Ukraine at night, was seen on the footage.
UPDATED
The downing of the Tu-22M3 bomber in Russia was an operation of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense. The aircraft was attacked 300 kilometers from Ukraine. This was reported by a source in the Defense Forces.
According to the source, the destruction of the Tu-22M3 is an operation of the GUR. After the bomber was shot down, the other one that was flying behind it turned around.
"This is the first strategic aviation aircraft that Ukraine managed to destroy during a flight. It was carrying out strikes against Ukraine," the source said.
The source added that the Tu-22M3 was attacked at a distance of 300 kilometers from Ukraine.
UPDATED
A Russian Tu-22M3 aircraft was shot down by an S-200 anti-aircraft missile system. This was reported by sources in the Defense Forces.
The sources told the publication that it is about the S-200 air defense system, which was modified by specialists from the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
UPDATED
The destruction of the Russian Tu-22M3 bomber may affect the situation in Odesa region. In particular, it is possible that missile attacks may decrease. Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense, said this during a telethon.
"What changes will there be? After the destruction of the A-50 aircraft and after today's destruction of the Tu-22M3 itself as part of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine's operation, there is at least hope that the situation will improve for Odesa region in terms of the risks of missile attacks for some time," he said.
Yusov added that these are not all the plans of the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine. According to him, Ukrainian defenders "will continue to surprise the enemy in a good way for us, and the results will also be different."
