Russian Tu-22M3 bomber crashes in Siberia, crew survives

A Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashed during a training flight in Siberia on Monday, June 15, 2026, but all four crew members survived after ejecting safely. The aircraft went down in the Irkutsk region, with officials stating it was not carrying weapons and caused no damage on the ground.

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the crash, saying the bomber was on a scheduled training flight and was descending for landing when the incident occurred. According to the ministry, the crew ejected before impact and were taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. Unverified videos circulating on social media appear to show the aircraft plunging nose-first into a forested area near the Angara River, followed by a large plume of smoke.

Regional Governor Igor Kobzev said the plane crashed near the village of Kamenka. Emergency services, including fire crews, were dispatched to extinguish a blaze at the site. Kobzev stated that preliminary information pointed to engine failure as the likely cause, though an official investigation is underway. Some earlier reports had suggested the crash occurred near the town of Svirsk, which is located approximately 50...