A missile-carrying bomber crashed in Stavropol Krai on April 19 after completing a military mission. One crew member died, while others ejected, wrote Governor Vladimir Vladimirov.
The Tu-22M3 aircraft crashed 'after completing a military mission, during the return to the airfield,' as reported by the Ministry of Defense. The Ministry preliminarily attributed the incident to a technical malfunction.
The aircraft fell on the territory of the Krasnogvardeysky District. Two pilots who ejected were later found and taken to the hospital. Governor Vladimir Vladimirov stated that another pilot died. The 112 Telegram channel reported that his body had been found by a rescue squad; they are still looking for the fourth crew member.
According to Ukrainian media, the aircraft was shot down. Ukrainian authorities, however, have not officially confirmed their involvement in the incident. According to the 'Agentstvo' media outlet, there is no known weaponry that would allow Ukraine to shoot down a Tu-22M3 from its territory at such a distance.
