The Ukrainian Air Force called the downing of a Russian Tu-22M3 bomber in the Stavropol Krai a kind of "vendetta" for the massive attack on Ukraine on the night of April 19. This was reported by the spokesman of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Illia Yevlash on the air of Radio Liberty.
"It was a kind of vendetta for the fact that Russian strategic aviation attacked our peaceful cities today, where civilians were killed. We all saw these terrible footage today after Russia attacked Ukraine. This is the first time that the Air Force, together with our partners, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, was able to shoot down a Tu-22M3 strategic aviation aircraft," the speaker said.
He also added that for the first time, two X-22 missiles fired by this bomber were also shot down.
"Of course, this is a combo. Today is a black day for the Russian propaganda media. I think they will be very, very unhappy today. Everything happens for the first time. We shot down a Kinzhal for the first time, and a Zircon for the first time. Now we have shot down a Tu-22 for the first time. Now we are waiting for the Tu-95," he added.
Earlier, we reported that a Tu-22M3 military aircraft, which launched missiles at Ukraine a few hours ago, crashed in the Stavropol Krai of the Russian Federation.