Ukraine claims to shoot down Tu-22M3 Strategic Bomber, Moscow denies

Conflicting accounts have emerged regarding the fate of a Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber near Ukraine, with both Ukrainian and Russian authorities offering divergent narratives.

Ukraine claims to have successfully shot down the bomber, marking the first instance of such an action since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion more than two years ago. Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk asserted that their anti-aircraft missile units, in collaboration with Defense Intelligence, had targeted and destroyed the Tu-22M3, which is capable of carrying long-range missiles.

However, Moscow presents a contrasting explanation, stating that the bomber crashed in a remote area of Russia's southern Stavropol region due to a technical malfunction. The Russian Defense Ministry emphasized that the crash occurred far from Ukrainian-controlled territory and involved no hostil...