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Crash During Training
A Russian Tu-22M3 bomber crashed during a training flight in Siberia’s Irkutsk region on June 15, 2026, according to Russia’s defense ministry.
“Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashes in Irkutsk: media [](https://subscribe”
The aircraft went down near the village of Kamenka, and Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev said fire crews were sent to the crash site.
Russian authorities said the aircraft was flying without a combat load and that there was no damage on the ground.
Reuters reported that all four crew members ejected and were taken to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
The Russian defense ministry said the crash involved a training flight, not a combat mission.
Engine Failure Claims
Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev said preliminary information indicated engine failure as the likely cause, though Russian authorities had not released details.
The Aviationist described videos circulating on social media showing the aircraft entering a steep nosedive before disappearing behind a hill and crashing, followed by thick black smoke.
The Aviationist also said posts on Russian Kremlin-aligned Russian Telegram channels quoted a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense that the pilots ejected and survived.
Defense Express said the crash occurred near the town of Svirsk in Russia’s Irkutsk region during what authorities described as a training flight, and that witnesses observed several parachutes descending shortly before impact.
The Kyiv Independent reported the Russian Defense Ministry said a commission from the Russian Aerospace Forces' high command was working at the crash site.
No Ground Damage
Russian authorities said the Tu-22M3 was not carrying any weapons or ammunition at the time of the incident, and that there was no damage on the ground.
“Toggle Play Russian supersonic bomber crashes in Siberia during training exercise A Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashed in Siberia’s Irkutsk region during a training flight, but all four crew members had managed to safely eject”
The Independent cited Interfax as quoting the Defence Ministry saying, "There is no threat to the pilots' lives or health," and "There is no damage on the ground."
The Kyiv Independent added that the Russian Defense Ministry said the aircraft was conducting a flight without ammunition and dispatched a commission from the Russian Aerospace Forces' high command to investigate.
AeroTime reported the Russian defense ministry said the aircraft was flying without a combat load and that there was no damage on the ground.
The Aviationist noted the Tu-22M3 is code named "Backfire" by NATO and described it as a Soviet-era supersonic bomber used by Russia in combat operations in Syria and Ukraine.
