Ukrainian Drone Destroys Russian Tu-22M3 Bomber in Airfield

A Ukrainian drone has reportedly destroyed a Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber shortly after it landed at the Mozdok military airfield in North Ossetia, according to a statement by Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.

Syrskyi confirmed the incident, saying: “A few days ago, our successful actions led to the destruction of a Tu-22M3 strategic bomber. It had just landed — and our drone struck it. Estimated cost: around $100 million.”

Russian media outlets reported a large-scale drone attack late last week, claiming 158 unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted across multiple regions. Among the reported targets was the Mozdok airfield, from where long-range bombers operate.

If confirmed, this would mark the second loss of a Tu-22M3 in a week. On April 2, the Russian Ministry of Defense acknowledged the crash of another bomber in the Irkutsk region of Siberia, citing an in-flight technical malfunction. One pilot died after ejecting, while four others survived.

The Tu-22M3 is a Soviet-era supersonic bomber capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional weapons. Despite its age, it remains a key part of Russia's long-range strike capabilities and has been used in multiple operations during the war in Ukraine.

While Ukrainian authorities have not provided a specific date for the Mozdok strike, their General Staff reported on April 9 that 370 Russian warplanes have been destroyed since the beginning of the war. Moscow has not confirmed any losses of fixed-wing aircraft in April.

Last year, Ukrainian forces downed a Tu-22M3 in Russia’s Stavropol Krai and damaged others during strikes on the Olenya airfield in Murmansk Oblast.