The latest operations against Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bombers significantly reduced the possibility of X-22 missile strikes on the territory of Ukraine. On April 19, the Main Directorate of Intelligence together with the Air Force destroyed a Tu-22M3 bomber.
How many Tu-22M3s are there in Russia?
The head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, told journalists earlier how many serviceable Tu-22s the enemy might have.
Budanov said that during the operations at the Russian military airfields Soltsi and Shaykovka, two Russian planes were completely destroyed, two more were damaged.
– If you ask how many Tu-22s there are, it will be units. They had about 31 serviceable Tu-22s. Now there are 29, minus two more that will be under repair, i.e. 27 (as of August 2023, – Ed.). That is, there are not so many of those who actually fly – the head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence drew attention.
He noted that the two damaged planes could be repaired by the occupiers over time.
Downing of the Russian Tu-22M3 on April 19
The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense reported that on April 19 it was possible to shoot down a Russian Tu-22M3 bomber, which launched missiles over Ukraine on April 19. The Main Directorate of Intelligence conducted a special operation in cooperation with the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Tu-22M3 aircraft was shot down 300 km from Ukraine by the same means that were used to shoot down the Russian A-50 long-range radar detection and control aircraft.
The Tu-22M3 bomber was able to reach the Stavropol area (RF), where it fell and crashed.
This is the first successful destruction of a Tu-22M3 strategic bomber in the air during a combat sortie during a full-scale war.
