Russia Is Getting ‘Smashed Out Of The Skies": Tu-22M Mysteriously Crash And Burn At Airbases
14- 6.04.2025, 19:53
- 20,260
A U.S. Army officer analyzed the situation.
Russian strategic aviation continues to suffer new losses in the war against Ukraine. Moscow's hopes for the mass deployment of aircraft capable of ignoring losses and continuing to strike Ukrainian cities are gradually crumbling—not only in the sky but also on the ground. This is reported by military analyst and former U.S. Army infantry officer Brent Eastwood for 19FortyFive.
The latest incident was the crash of a Tu-22M bomber near the Usolsky District in Siberia on April 2. The frontline is more than 4,300 kilometers away. According to unofficial estimates, this is already the fifth Tu-22M lost during the full-scale war.
At the start of the invasion, the Kremlin had about 60 of these aircraft, and the loss of nearly 10% of its fleet is a significant blow. The Tu-22M is a Cold War-era aircraft that Russia actively uses to launch cruise missiles, particularly against Ukrainian cities.
Ukrainians view such strikes as acts of terrorism.
"Russia prefers to use the Tu-22M to destroy cities. This outrages Ukrainians, who see these attacks as acts of terror against civilians," the article reads.
Despite its defenses, these aircraft are being lost not only in the air but also on the ground: Ukrainian Armed Forces drones have already destroyed several of these "birds" directly at airbases. The attacks on the Engels airbase were particularly damaging, where missile stockpiles were also destroyed.
In response, Russia continues to launch strikes from deep within its airspace—keeping its aircraft hundreds of kilometers away from Ukraine while firing Kh-22 missiles. These missiles pose one of the most dangerous threats to civilians.
"There is no ceasefire," international observers note. Despite occasional statements about de-escalation, Russian aircraft continue to bring destruction.
Tu-22M: A Retro Giant in Modern Warfare
Backfire—the NATO designation for the bomber—has a four-member crew, a payload capacity of over 6,000 kg, and a top speed of more than 1,600 km/h. Its design is based on the Soviet Tu-22 "Blinder," with a particular focus on variable-sweep wing technology, which was central to the entire project.
The aircraft has seen extensive combat history, from Afghanistan to the current war in Ukraine. However, it is now increasingly becoming a target.
Despite the losses, the threat remains. The Tu-22M is still being used for missile strikes, including the deployment of glide bombs, which makes interception more difficult.
"The aircraft has suffered losses, but it will still be a significant factor in the war since a ceasefire has proven unattainable. Ukraine views the Tu-22M as an instrument of terror and a force to be reckoned with," the author concluded.
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