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| Russian supersonic bomber crashes in Siberia (VIDEOS) | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A Tu-22M3 aircraft came down during a routine flight in Irkutsk Region | |
| A Tupolev Tu-22M3 supersonic long-range bomber belonging to Russia’s Air Force has crashed in Irkutsk Region of southeastern Siberia, as confirmed by the Defense Ministry. | |
| The dramatic incident occurred during a routine flight shortly after 10 PM local time on Thursday when one of the jet’s engines apparently caught fire in mid-air due to a suspected technical malfunction. | The dramatic incident occurred during a routine flight shortly after 10 PM local time on Thursday when one of the jet’s engines apparently caught fire in mid-air due to a suspected technical malfunction. |
| The crew managed to guide the falling plane away from residential areas, ultimately ensuring there were no civilian casualties or damage on the ground. Three pilots who ejected first were found alive and in “satisfactory” condition, according to initial reports. Meanwhile, the captain, who was the last to leave the aircraft, reportedly broke his leg. | |
| The four pilots were hospitalized with injuries of various degrees, but one of them succumbed to his injuries, Irkutsk Region Governor Igor Kobzev said early Friday morning, citing defense ministry sources. | |
| “To my deepest regret, one of the pilots did not survive,” Kobzev said. “Sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased pilot. It’s a great loss.” | |
| Eyewitness accounts and footage captured by local residents indicate that the crash occurred in a deserted area. Several videos showed the burning plane going down, while others captured multiple secondary explosions at the crash site. | Eyewitness accounts and footage captured by local residents indicate that the crash occurred in a deserted area. Several videos showed the burning plane going down, while others captured multiple secondary explosions at the crash site. |
| Emergency services eventually extinguished the blaze and spent the whole night working at the scene of the crash, the governor added. | |
| Early reports suggest that a technical malfunction was likely to blame, as the incident reportedly occurred just minutes after takeoff, but the Defense Ministry has yet to conduct an investigation. | Early reports suggest that a technical malfunction was likely to blame, as the incident reportedly occurred just minutes after takeoff, but the Defense Ministry has yet to conduct an investigation. |
| The Tupolev Tu-22M3 is a modern version of the supersonic long-range strategic nuclear-capable bomber that first entered service in the 1970s. The plane involved in the accident was not the latest M3M version with upgraded avionics and radars; it is unclear whether the jet underwent any other upgrades or overhauls. | The Tupolev Tu-22M3 is a modern version of the supersonic long-range strategic nuclear-capable bomber that first entered service in the 1970s. The plane involved in the accident was not the latest M3M version with upgraded avionics and radars; it is unclear whether the jet underwent any other upgrades or overhauls. |