Preparation for the operation lasted more than a week. This is the first strategic aircraft that Ukraine managed to destroy during a flight.
On Friday, April 19, Ukraine destroyed the Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber for the first time. They managed to hit him from the S-200 anti-aircraft missile system. The downing of the plane is a special operation of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. This was reported Focus sources in the intelligence services.
The operation was prepared for more than a week – they were waiting for an opportune moment to destroy the plane. After the bomber was shot down, the other one flying behind it turned around.
“This is the first strategic aircraft that Ukraine managed to destroy during a flight. It struck Ukraine,” the source said.
It is known that the Tu-22MZ was attacked 300 km from Ukraine.
This board carries Kh-22 type cruise missiles, which are anti-ship and not intended to attack ground targets. At the same time, the Russian Federation is attacking peaceful Ukrainian cities with these missiles. The mass of the Kh-22 missile warhead is about 1 thousand kilograms. This is more than the “Dagger”.
Kh-22 missiles hit a house in Dnepr in January 2023 and a shopping center in Kremenchug in the summer of 2022.
Let us remind you that on April 19, during a night attack, the Russian Armed Forces fired 36 enemy targets. Air defense destroyed 29 air targets. Air Force Commander Nikolai Oleshchuk said that for the first time Ukraine managed to shoot down Kh-22 cruise missiles.
On April 17, a Mi-8 transport helicopter was destroyed at the Kryazh airfield in Samara Rossiiskaya, Russia. According to the State Investigative Directorate, its cost could range from ten to 15 million dollars.
