From the Euromaiden website;
"..A Russian air force Tupolev Tu-22M Backfire bomber crashed in Irkutsk Oblast near Mongolia on or just before Monday, 15 June 2026. Dramatic videos from the ground depict the swing-wing bomber falling to the ground after apparently suffering some kind of mechanical malfunction near Belaya air force base, which hosts Russian long-range bombers. The crash is a victory of sorts for Ukraine, as it labors to reduce Russia's fleet of long-range bombers. The bombers routinely launch cruise missiles at Ukrainian cities as part of Russia's wider campaign of terror targeting Ukrainian civilians..."
Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 with around 60-70 Tu-22 M-3 strategic bombers from a total production of around 450 machines. Production ended in 1993 and although capabilities were upgraded in the period 2014-2016 this has not prevented losses continuing to mount even despite the war against Ukraine - some 24 machines from all causes. The Tu-22M-3 serves as one of Russia's primary platforms for Kh-22 and Kh-32 cruise missile strikes against Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure. Ukrainian analysis indicates up to 70% of Russia's combat-ready Tu-22M-3 long-range bombers have been lost since 2022 and it now retains as few as 20 operational aircraft (Defense Express). Obviously with no production, spares inventories are particularly low with individual machines being 'cannibilised' to keep the 'fleet' in the air. The Ukrainian defense outlet published its assessment in mid-June as the third Tu-22M-3 was lost in that region in a crash since 2022.
The largest single loss of Tu-22M-3 bombers has been attributed to the Ukraine Security Service (SBU) Operation Spiderweb on 1 June 2025, which reportedly destroyed 12 Tu-22M-3 aircraft at the Olenya, Belaya, and Dyagilevo airbases. The SBU claim that the operation struck 41 Russian aircraft across multiple bases (in red below).
During Operation Spider Web an FPV drone targets a Tu-22 type bomber at Dyagilevo air base
Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 with around 60-70 Tu-22 M-3 strategic bombers from a total production of around 450 machines. Production ended in 1993 and although capabilities were upgraded in the period 2014-2016 this has not prevented losses continuing to mount even despite the war against Ukraine - some 24 machines from all causes. The Tu-22M-3 serves as one of Russia's primary platforms for Kh-22 and Kh-32 cruise missile strikes against Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure. Ukrainian analysis indicates up to 70% of Russia's combat-ready Tu-22M-3 long-range bombers have been lost since 2022 and it now retains as few as 20 operational aircraft (Defense Express). Obviously with no production, spares inventories are particularly low with individual machines being 'cannibilised' to keep the 'fleet' in the air. The Ukrainian defense outlet published its assessment in mid-June as the third Tu-22M-3 was lost in that region in a crash since 2022.
The largest single loss of Tu-22M-3 bombers has been attributed to the Ukraine Security Service (SBU) Operation Spiderweb on 1 June 2025, which reportedly destroyed 12 Tu-22M-3 aircraft at the Olenya, Belaya, and Dyagilevo airbases. The SBU claim that the operation struck 41 Russian aircraft across multiple bases (in red below).
Tupolev Tu-22M-3 (RF-94233, Bortnumber Red 20) launches into its takeoff run in Belaya, Siberia. Dimitry Pichugin photo. The aircraft was lost after a takeoff accident in September 2017 in Shaikowka.
