Tu-22M bomber with AS-4 Kitchen missiles landed at St. Petersburg
MOSCOW, RUSSIA — The Tupolev Tu-22M Backfire bomber of the Russian Air Force [VKS] made an emergency landing at Pulkovo Civil Airport.
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The Tupolev Tu-22M Backfire bomber, which is among Russia’s most strategic military air platforms, is based in St. Petersburg Pulkovo Airport made an emergency landing. Although it was announced that the Tu-22M3 had made an emergency landing at Pulkovo due to adverse weather conditions, no further details were given regarding the landing.
According to Tolga Ozbek news: Kh-22 [AS-4 Kitchen] long-range cruise missiles were also on the Tu-22M, which landed at Pulkova Airport. The plane is said to have taken part in the “operation” organized by Russia in Ukraine.
It was announced that the landing did not affect civilian traffic in the square.
Characteristics of the Tu-22M
The Tu-22M is a long-range strategic bomber developed by Tupolev for the Soviet Air Force. The Tu-22M is based on the design of the Tu-22 aircraft. The first prototype of the Tu-22M-0 aircraft took to the skies in August 1969.
The Tu-22M-1 made its first flight in July 1971. The Tu-22M was first used in combat missions in Afghanistan from 1987 to 1989 and by Russia in combat operations in Chechnya in 1995. The Tu-22M is used to carry out nuclear strikes and conventional strike operations.
The variant of the aircraft that can carry bombs and missiles is the Tu-22M3. It made its first flight in 1977, and production began in 1978. “M3” has reinforced wings, and more powerful NK-25 engines. It also has a significantly increased weapon load-out. This bomber can carry up to three Kh-22 missiles.
Naval aviation forces have about 80 Tu-22Ms, mostly M3 models. Naval aviation forces also have 12 M3s converted as Tu-22MR reconnaissance aircraft. In 2011, the Tu-22M3 from all naval aviation was transferred to the Russian Air Force.
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