As reported, a Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashed yesterday in Russia's Irkutsk region.

Axar.az reports that this supersonic bomber was developed in 1974 as a modification of the Tu-22M2 aircraft by Andrei Tupolev Design Bureau. Although the aircraft first flew in 1977, it was not introduced into service until March 1989.

These aircraft are designed to destroy ground and naval targets with supersonic guided missiles and bombs at any time of the day and in any weather conditions. The Tu-22M3 can also carry nuclear warheads.

The aircraft was modernized for nuclear warfare. In the context of nuclear giants' conflicts, the Tu-22M3 was expected to launch three X-22 hypersonic missiles at an American aircraft carrier from a distance of at least 600 km simultaneously.

The Tu-22M3 is 42.46 meters long with a maximum wingspan of 34.28 meters. Its maximum takeoff weight is 126 tons, its maximum speed is 2300 km/h, and its range is 7,000 km. The crew consists of four members.

The Tu-22M3 can carry 2-3 X-22 missiles (with either conventional or nuclear warheads), 10 short-range X-15 missiles, or 12 tons of bombs. It has participated in the Afghanistan, Syria, and Chechen wars. In August 2008, it was shot down by Georgian air defense systems over the Kodori Gorge.

According to open sources, a total of 268 Tu-22M3 aircraft have been produced.

Russia does not sell this aircraft to anyone and has only leased four of them to India.