Russian TU-22M3 Bomber Crashes Near the Russian Far East, One Pilot Killed

A Russian Tu-22M3 long-range bomber crashed in the far east region of Irkutsk due to a technical malfunction, one pilot was killed, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday.

"On April 2, 2025, a Tu-22M3 aircraft crashed while performing a scheduled flight in the Irkutsk region," the ministry said.

"The four-member crew ejected. As a result of the landing, according to the crew commander's report, one pilot was killed," the Defense Ministry reported.

"According to preliminary data, a technical malfunction was the cause of the accident," the statement said.

According to the ministry, the plane crashed in an uninhabited area, there was no damage on the ground.

"A search and rescue team that arrived at the scene is evacuating the crew members to the base airfield," the military reported.

The Tu-22M3 is part of the long-range aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces and can carry nuclear weapons besides conventional ones. It has been used extensively in Russia’s war against Ukraine.