The Russian Ministry of Defense commented on the incident with the Tu-22M3 long-range bomber at the Shaikovka airfield near Kaluga, as a result of which three servicemen were killed. The statement of the department was received by the editorial office of “Lenta.ru”.
“On March 23 … during the planned preparation on the ground for the Tu-22M3 flight, an abnormal operation of the ejection system occurred at the airfield in the Kaluga region. Due to the insufficient height to deploy the parachutes, three crew members received injuries incompatible with life upon landing, ”the message says.
The Ministry of Defense added that a commission of the Aerospace Forces (VKS) of Russia was sent to the airfield to conduct a technical survey of the aircraft and find out the reasons for the incident.
The incident with the Tu-22M3 at the Shaikovka airfield became known earlier on March 23. Initially, sources said the plane crashed or made an emergency landing. Later, information appeared that an emergency occurred on the ground – the bomber's catapults worked abnormally.
Three servicemen were killed. One pilot survived: he managed to buckle up while the rest were still fastened in the cockpit. There are no casualties or injuries among the local residents.
Tu-22M3 is a modification of the Soviet supersonic missile carrier-bomber Tu-22M. The aircraft is designed to engage ground and sea targets from high, medium and low altitudes. It entered service in 1989 and became the most massive long-range bomber. Tu-22M3 bombers took part in operations in Syria.
