Russia's FSB Foils Ukrainian Attempt to Hijack Russian Tu-22 Bomber

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) announced the interception and prevention of an alleged attempt by Ukrainian intelligence to hijack a Tu-22M3 strategic bomber.

According to a statement on the FSB's website, Ukrainian operatives reportedly tried to recruit a Russian military pilot with promises of a substantial cash reward and Italian citizenship to fly the aircraft to Ukraine.

The FSB's statement implicated NATO countries in the operation, alleging their involvement in planning and execution. Ukrainian authorities have not yet responded to these allegations.

Reports from the TASS news agency cited the FSB claiming that the operation also provided intelligence leading to a strike on the Ozerne airfield in northwestern Ukraine. The FSB supported their claims with a video allegedly showing a Russian pilot, whose identity was obscured, being contacted via the Telegram messaging service by Ukrainian intelligence agents.

Last August, Russia accused Ukraine of a drone attack on a military airfield housing Tu-22M3 bombers in the Novgorod region, resulting in damage to one aircraft.