According to foreign media reports, the Russian military once again dispatched the famous Tu-22M3 "Backfire" bombers on June 25, launching long-range strikes against ground targets in Kiev, Chernihiv and Sumy Oblast, Ukraine. Precision strike, this is the first time since the war between Russia and Ukraine that Tu-22M3 bombers have publicly used heavy cruise missiles to strike targets in northern Ukraine, changing the embarrassing image of frequently dropping "iron bombs" before.
The Tu-22M3 is equipped with two Kh-22 cruise missiles
It is reported that six Tu-22M3 "Backfire" long-range bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces launched 12 Kh-22 heavy cruise missiles from Belarus airspace into Ukraine. , The Ukrainian government stated that this is the first time so far that Russian aircraft have launched an air strike on Ukrainian territory from Belarusian airspace. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine has lasted for 123 days. What was originally envisioned as a blitzkrieg of has turned into a protracted war of attrition. So far, Russia has consumed more than a thousand ballistic missiles, , and cruise missiles on the Ukrainian battlefield. , so that it is often suspected that the inventory of missiles and is in short supply. This time, Russia dispatched multiple Tu-22M3 bombers to hit targets in Ukraine at long range, once again breaking the rumor that Russia's missile inventory is in short supply.
The Tu-22M3 bomber is a supersonic, variable long-range bomber with swept wings developed by the former Soviet Union. It is 42.46 meters long, 11.05 meters high, has a maximum take-off weight of 124 tons, a maximum level flight speed of Mach 2.17, and a maximum bomb load. It has a weight of 24 tons, a maximum range of 12,000 kilometers, and a practical range of 7,100 kilometers. It can carry out nuclear strike and conventional strike missions. More than 100 of them are still in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces and are the backbone of the Russian bomber force. With its extremely high flight speed, the Tu-22M3 can quickly traverse deep enemy airspace, perform volley bombing and precision strike missions outside the defense zone, and has performed well in many wars.
Tu-22M3 long-range bomber
In addition to striking the ground, another mission of the Tu-22M3 is anti-ship. It can be mounted on the long-range anti-ship missile to launch a rapid strike against the US aircraft carrier formation. The Kh-22 cruise missile launched this time is a long-range heavy anti-ship missile specially designed for the Tu-22M3 bomber. In addition to hitting sea targets, it can also hit ground targets. According to public information, the Kh-22 missile has a total length of 11.65 meters, a projectile diameter of 0.92 meters, a wingspan of 3 meters, a total weight of 5.8 tons, a warhead weighing 0.9 tons, a maximum flight speed of Mach 4, and a maximum range of about 350 kilometers. Although the Kh-22 missile is very old from today's perspective, Ukraine's existing air defense system is still unable to cope with this heavy supersonic cruise missile, and Ukraine can only watch it being bombed. For Russia, the inventory of Kh-22 missiles is very large. The former Soviet Union produced nearly 3,000 Kh-22 missiles for the Tu-22M3 bomber. All these missiles were handed over to Russia. It can be said that Russia wants to use them up in a short time. The Kh-22 missile is not an easy task.
Tu-22M3 is equipped with Kh-22 missiles
Although Ukraine is currently receiving advanced weapon systems from NATO countries and is preparing to return blood, Russia will obviously not give Ukraine the opportunity to use these weapons. Next, Tu-22M3 bombers will definitely Continue to remove Russia's missile inventory, attack weapon systems and important military facilities assisted by NATO countries, and continue to use its residual heat.
