Ukraine’s Drone Destroys $100M Russian Bomber – Syrsky

The Ukrainian military blew up a Russian Tu-22M3 long-range bomber (NATO: Backfire) – a Kh-22 cruise missile carrier – using a drone, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), Oleksandr Syrsky said.

“A few days ago, our successful actions destroyed the long-range Tu-22M3 bomber,”

Syrsky said, speaking in an interview with LB.ua media outlet. Syrsky said the aircraft had just landed.

“And our drone hit it. The cost [of the bomber] is about $100 million,” he added.

The Tu-22M3, a Soviet-era strategic bomber introduced in 1982, is designed for both nuclear and conventional strikes. Able to be armed with Kh-22, Kh-15, and Kh-32 missiles, as well as KAB-500 guided bombs, it remains a key component of Russia’s long-range air campaign against Ukraine.

Syrsky did not specify which type of drone was used or where the strike took place.

A Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashed in Russia’s Irkutsk region on April 2 during a scheduled flight, according to Russia’s Defense Ministry.

The aircraft went down near the village of Buret, reportedly due to a technical malfunction.

All four crew members ejected, but one was killed, Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev said. The crash damaged a power line, cutting electricity to over 200 homes and several critical facilities, including a school.

While Russian state media claimed there was no fire, footage circulating on social media showed flames and smoke rising from the crash site.

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Ukraine’s first Tu-22M3 shootdown of the war

Almost a year ago, on April 19, 2024, Ukrainian forces shot down a Russian Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bomber for the first time since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Kyiv Post sources confirmed the operation was planned and carried out by Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR).

An S-200 air defense missile system was used to hit the bomber approximately 300 kilometers (185 miles) from Ukraine’s territory, Kyiv Post sources said.

Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of HUR, said the Russian bomber had been returning to its base after launching missiles at Odesa, causing significant damage to civilian infrastructure.

HUR added that the same type of missile had previously been used to target a Russian A-50 long-range radar and control aircraft. Despite being hit, the Tu-22M3 attempted to return to its base but ultimately crashed in Russia’s Stavropol region.

Footage of the bomber spiraling down in flames was widely shared on Ukrainian and Russian social media.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense had claimed the aircraft crashed due to a “technical malfunction” after completing its combat mission, and that there was no ammunition on board.