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"If we consider the number of aircraft (Tu-22M3 bombers), it's approximately 27 according to information from open sources capable of conducting military operations," Khrapchynskyi said.
Ukraine successfully shot down a Russian long-range bomber Tu-22M3 equipped with hard-to-intercept Kh-22 missiles on April 19 for the first time since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Read also: Ukraine downed Russian Tu-22 bomber with makeshift anti-air systems — Budanov
The Ukrainian Armed Forces together with Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) carried out the historic elimination of a Russian Tu-22M3 aircraft, said Ukraine’s Air Force Commander, Mykola Oleshchuk. These aircraft are known for their systematic shelling of Ukraine.
A national security source told NV that the bomber was shot down by a modified Soviet-era S-200 air defense system from about 300 km away — the same means previously used to hit a Russian A-50 early warning and control aircraft.
The bomber managed to reach the Stavropol region, Russia, where it crashed and broke apart.
Four crew members of the Tu-22M3 aircraft ejected during the fall; two were found alive, and one — dead. The search for the last crew member is ongoing
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Section: Nation
Author: Владислава Топоркова