Russian Tu-22M3 Bomber Crash Lands After Suffering Engine Malfunction

A Russian Tupolev Tu-22M3 supersonic bomber crash-landed in the Astrakhan Oblast region in the country’s south on Dec. 17 after suffering a suspected engine failure.

According to reports, the aircraft landed on its belly into a field away from major towns and cities. The crew escaped without injuries and there are also no reported injuries on the ground.

The bomber was taking part in a training mission and was not armed at the time of the crash, according to the Russian military.

This incident is the second reported crash of a Tu-22M bomber this year. On Jan. 22, an aircraft of the same type crash-landed in the Murmansk region killing two crew members and injuring another two.

The Tupolev Tu-22M (NATO reporting name: Backfire) is a supersonic, variable-sweep wing, long-range strategic and maritime strike bomber developed by the Tupolev Design Bureau.

The bomber is designed to destroy naval and ground targets at a distance of up to 2,200 km from home-based airfields with guided missiles and bombs.