Russian nuclear bomber goes down in fiery crash in Siberia

Aug 16, 2024 at 12:40 PM CDT

A Russian Tu-22M3 bomber crashed in Siberia after catching fire mid-air, killing one crew member and prompting investigations. — Image credit: Tupolev Aerospace Company

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A Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber erupted into flames midair during a routine flight over Siberia, crashing and killing one crew member. The crash occurred far from any battlefield, and videos shared on social media showed the bomber catching fire before plummeting into an uninhabited area.

Russia’s Defense Ministry attributed the crash to a technical malfunction, stating that one of the engines likely caught fire. The ministry also confirmed that no damage occurred to nearby residential areas.

https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1824096540341801144

Regional Gov. Igor Kobzev reported that the crew members attempted to steer the plane away from populated areas before ejecting. While early reports indicated that all four crew members survived, Kobzev later confirmed that one pilot had died from injuries.

The remaining crew members were hospitalized with varying degrees of injury but are expected to recover.

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“Work at the Tu-22M3 crash site continued through the night. To my deep regret, one of the pilots could not be saved,” Kobzev said, offering condolences to the deceased pilot’s family.

The Tu-22M3 bomber is a key part of Russia’s strategic air force and has been used in the ongoing war with Ukraine, which began when Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion in February 2022. The crash has drawn attention as investigations continue, with authorities urging caution and reassuring the public that there is no immediate threat.

Analysts have pointed to incidents like this, as well as other failing infrastructure around Russia, as evidence of the economic sanctions impacting the country’s ability to maintain its military and other sectors.

Ryan Robertson is the anchor of the Straight Arrow News video podcast Weapons and Warfare. He wore many hats in his career — from photographer to news director — and firmly believes honest journalism will save our Republic.

Tags: Russia, Russian Defense Ministry, Sanctions, Ukraine, Ukraine Defense Ministry, Vladimir Putin

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[RYAN ROBERTSON]

A RUSSIAN NUCLEAR BOMBER ERUPTED INTO FLAMES MID-AIR — BEFORE CRASHING IN SIBERIA.

IT HAPPENED DURING A ROUTINE FLIGHT FAR FROM ANY BATTLEFIELD —AT LEAST ONE CREW MEMBER DIED. VIDEOS SHARED ON SOCIAL MEDIA SHOWED THE FINAL MOMENTS OF THE TU-22M3 BOMBER’S FLIGHT BEFORE IT PLUMMETED INTO AN UNINHABITED AREA.

THE BOMBER IS A KEY PART OF RUSSIA’S STRATEGIC AIR FORCE — AND WAS USED IN THE WAR WITH UKRAINE — THE RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY SAYS THE CRASH WAS LIKELY CAUSED BY A TECHNICAL MALFUNCTION, WITH ONE OF THE ENGINES CATCHING FIRE. THE MINISTRY ALSO SAID THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO NEARBY RESIDENTIAL AREAS.

ACCORDING TO THE REGIONAL GOVERNOR, THE CREW MEMBERS STEERED THE PLANE AWAY FROM RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND THEN ATTEMPTED TO PARACHUTE TO SAFETY AFTER EJECTING FROM THE AIRCRAFT.

WHILE EARLY REPORTS SUGGESTED ALL HAD SURVIVED, IT WAS LATER REVEALED ONE PILOT DIED FROM THEIR INJURIES. THE REMAINING CREW MEMBERS WERE HOSPITALIZED WITH VARYING DEGREES OF INJURY, BUT ARE EXPECTED TO RECOVER.

AS INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUE — AUTHORITIES STRESSED THE NEED FOR CAUTION AND REASSURED THE PUBLIC THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE THREAT.

SOME ANALYSTS POINT TO INCIDENTS LIKE THIS AND OTHER FAILING INFRASTRUCTURE AROUND RUSSIA AS PROOF THE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST THE COUNTRY ARE WORKING. AFTER IT INVADED UKRAINE–RUSSIA WAS CUT OFF FROM MOST WESTERN PARTS SUPPLIERS–

SO KEEPING ITS PLANES FLYING, OR TRAINS RUNNING, IS PROVING MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE KREMLIN.

FOR MORE OF OUR UNBIASED — STRAIGHT FACT REPORTING — DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP OR VISIT US AT SAN – DOT – COM.

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