Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashes in Siberia during training flight, crew ejects safely

Jun 15, 2026

A Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashed in Siberia's Irkutsk region on June 15, 2026, during a training flight, with preliminary reports from Governor Igor Kobzev citing engine failure. All four crew members ejected safely and were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The Soviet-era bomber, capable of carrying "Kinzhal" hypersonic missiles and used in Syria and Ukraine, was not carrying a combat load at the time of the crash.

Tu-22M3 bomber crash in Irkutsk

▪The aircraft was flying without a combat load and caused no damage on the ground, according to the Russian Defence Ministry.
▪Irkutsk's governor, Igor Kobzev, said preliminary information suggests engine failure was the likely cause of the crash.
▪The Tu-22M3 is a Soviet-era supersonic bomber, codenamed "Backfire" by NATO, that has been used in combat in Syria and Ukraine.
▪A Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashed in Siberia's Irkutsk region on June 15, 2026, during a training flight.
▪The plane crashed near the village of Kamenka, not far from the banks of the Angara river.
▪The bomber can carry Kh-22 air-launched cruise missiles and hypersonic "Kinzhal" missiles.

Crew ejection survival

▪Fire crews were dispatched to work on extinguishing a blaze at the crash site.
▪The four crew members were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
▪All four crew members ejected from the aircraft and survived the incident.