CRASH AND BURN
New vid shows Putin’s £93m nuke bomber plummet and EXPLODE as Russians scramble for cause of humiliating mystery crash
Footage shows the plane erupt into flames as shocked onlookers watch on
NEW video has captured the moment one of Putin's nuke bombers plummets to the ground bursting into flames in a new humiliating blow.
The £93million Tu-22M3 aircraft cannoned down in the remote Irkutsk region in Siberia, exploding into a giant fireball.
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Four crew members ejected to evade disaster, but one of them died, according to reports.
He was believed to be a flight navigator.
The surviving trio were rushed to hospital.
The bomber - a type of plane used by Putin as a key plank in his nuclear arsenal - broke up in the sky before crashing amid fierce explosions.
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Some reports suggested the crash was caused after the plane's left engine failed.
Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev said: "Specialists are now trying to determine the exact cause of the crash."
The Russians initially announced a "technical malfunction" was behind the aircraft's dramatic descent, without elaborating further.
Kobzev added: “Work at the crash site of the military aircraft TU-22M3 continued all night.
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“To my deep regret, one of the (crew) could not be saved.
“This information was provided by the military command of the Russian Ministry of Defence.
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“Sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of the deceased…
“This is a truly great loss.”
The supersonic strike bomber was on a "scheduled flight" but tumbled down into flames soon after takeoff.
Authorities have launched an urgent probe into what caused the crash.
It occurred near the Cheryomkhovsky district of the Irkutsk region, some 3,300 miles east of Moscow.
Panicked Vlad, struggling to fend off a Ukrainian border incursion in Kursk, this week deployed two Tu-22 planes to threaten the West in a nuclear drill over the Baltic Sea.
Meanwhile two Tu-95 strategic nuclear missile carriers buzzed the north of Britain by flying over the Norwegian Sea escorted by MiG-31 combat warplanes.
The Tu-22M3 factfile
The Tu-22M3 is a supersonic strike bomber capable of inflicting long-range blows.
Here is everything you need to know about the fiery fighter jet that originated from Russia's Tupolev Design Bureau, its first iteration flying in the 1970s.
COST
The jets are estimated to cost a staggering £93million, making the loss of one a crippling blow.
SPEED
They speed through the skies at a jaw-dropping 2,300 kilometres per hour, or 1,429mph.
For context, this is twice the speed of sound.
A commercial passenger flies a mere 480-575mph at cruising speed.
WEAPONRY
Carrying three supersonic missiles, each bomber is capable of inflicting devastating blows.
They are designed to destroy large targets at both ground and sea.
One of the missiles is tucked into a bomb bay, with the other two carried under the wings.
The missiles are the Kh-22 class, which are dual-capable - meaning they can fire conventional or nuclear warheads.
It's also equipped with a navigation system including radar.
RANGE
Range estimates vary from 5,000km (3,106 miles) to as much as 7,000km (4,350 miles).
Either way, it's certainly a long-range bomber.
The Tu-22 came down on a highway after leaving Belaya airfield.
Locals said they saw multiple explosions at the crash site.
One report said: “The crew miraculously steered the falling plane away from residential buildings and ejected.”
In April, Ukraine claimed to have shot down one of the bombers 300 kilometres into Russian territory.
It crashed into a field in Russia’s southwestern Stavropol region.
Ukraine’s defence intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov last year claimed Russia had less than 30 Tu-22 bombers left.
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The International Institute for Strategic Studios estimates that figure is closer to 60.
The Tu-22 can also carry Kh-15 nuclear or anti-radar missiles, as well as Kh-22 long-range naval strike missiles.
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