Russian nuclear bomber goes down in fiery crash in Siberia

A Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber erupted into flames midair during a routine flight over Siberia, crashing and killing one crew member. The crash occurred far from any battlefield, and videos shared on social media showed the bomber catching fire before plummeting into an uninhabited area.

Russia’s Defense Ministry attributed the crash to a technical malfunction, stating that one of the engines likely caught fire . The ministry also confirmed that no damage occurred to nearby residential areas.

Regional Gov. Igor Kobzev reported that the crew members attempted to steer the plane away from populated areas before ejecting. While early reports indicated that all four crew members survived, Kobzev later confirmed that one pilot had died from injuries.

The remaining crew members were hospitalized with varying degrees of injury but are expected to recover.

"Work at the Tu-22M3 crash site continued through the night. To my deep regret, one of the pilots could not be saved," Kobzev said, offering condolences to the deceased pilot’s family.

The Tu-22M3 bomber is a key part of Russia's strategic air force and has been used in the ongoing war with Ukraine, which began when Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion in February 2022. The crash has drawn attention as investigations continue, with authorities urging caution and reassuring the public that there is no immediate threat.

Analysts have pointed to incidents like this, as well as other failing infrastructure around Russia, as evidence of the economic sanctions impacting the country’s ability to maintain its military and other sectors.

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