Ukraine has likely downed a Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber, one that likely launched cruise missiles against targets in inside Ukraine.
Tsarizm has shown the footage to our sources who are military pilots and they confirm the likely shoot down, not a 'technical malfunction' as Moscow suggests.
According to our knowledgeable sources, a missile likely blew off the rear 'swing-wing' and caused the spin, not likely an engine fire.
In addition, a still frame from the video shows the nose ‘bent’.
Long-range bombers without stealth technology are vulnerable to long-range air defense systems as the U.S. found out during the Vietnam War, where many B-52s were destroyed at high-altitude during bombing runs.
Western militaries are using the Ukraine conflict to test air defense technology against Russian aircraft, and there are likely Western personnel manning these systems in-theater.
"For the first time, anti-aircraft missile units of the air force in cooperation with the defense intelligence of Ukraine destroyed a Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bomber," Ukraine's military said in a statement on social media.
Russian officials said the plane had crashed over the southern Stavropol region when it was flying back to base and at least one member of the crew had died, and three ejected.
Two other pilots were taken to the hospital and searches are underway for the fourth pilot, the state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported, citing the Defense Ministry.
The plane crashed in the Stavropol region's Krasnogvardeysky district, the governor said — around 400 kilometers from the eastern edge of Crimea, reported The Moscow Times.
