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Russia says strategic bomber crashes in Siberia on training flight

A Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashed during a training flight in Siberia’s Irkutsk region on June 16, 2026. All four crew members ejected safely before impact. The Defense Ministry cited engine failure as the likely cause, and local officials confirmed no ground damage. Footage shows the aircraft nosediving before crashing.

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What changed

Engine failure has been identified as the preliminary cause by a regional governor, and video of the crash has been released.

Live updates

  1. Russian Tu-22M3 bomber crashes in Siberia; crew ejects safely

    A Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashed during a training flight in Siberia’s Irkutsk region on June 16, 2026. All four crew members ejected safely before impact. The Defense Ministry cited engine failure as the likely cause, and local officials confirmed no ground damage. Footage shows the aircraft nosediving before crashing.

    What's confirmed:

    • A Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashed during a training flight in Siberia’s Irkutsk region on June 16, 2026.
    • All four crew members ejected safely before the aircraft went down.
    • The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the crash occurred during a landing approach.
    • Video shows the bomber nosediving before impact.
    • The aircraft was unarmed during the flight.
    • No ground damage or casualties were reported.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • Engine failure was cited as the preliminary cause by Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev, but this claim has not yet been independently verified by the Defense Ministry.
    confidence 95%

  2. Russian Tu-22M3 'Backfire' bomber crashes in Siberia during training; crew ejects safely

    A Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashed in Siberia’s Irkutsk region during a training flight on June 16, 2026. All four crew members ejected safely before the aircraft went down. The crash follows reports of an engine failure during landing approach. The Tu-22M3, a Soviet-era supersonic bomber, has been used in combat missions in Syria and Ukraine and carries hypersonic missiles.

    What's confirmed:

    • A Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashed in Siberia’s Irkutsk region during a training flight on June 16, 2026.
    • All four crew members ejected safely before the aircraft went down.
    • The Tu-22M3, also known as the 'Backfire' by NATO, is a Soviet-era supersonic bomber used by Russia in combat missions in Syria and Ukraine.
    • The crash occurred during a landing approach as part of a routine training mission.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • Engine failure may have caused the crash during landing procedure.
    confidence 98%