Tupolev Tu-22M

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The Tupolev Tu-22M (Russian: Туполев Ту-22М; NATO reporting name: Backfire) is a Soviet nuclear capable, supersonic, variable-sweep wing, long-range strategic and maritime strike bomber developed by the Tupolev Design Bureau in the 1960s. The bomber was reported as being designated Tu-26 by Western intelligence at one time. During the Cold War, the Tu-22M was operated by the Soviet Air Forces (VVS) in a missile carrier strategic bombing role, and by the Soviet Naval Aviation (Aviatsiya Voyenno-Morskogo Flota, AVMF) in a long-range maritime anti-shipping role. The Tu-22M was first used for conventional bombing by the Soviet Union in the Soviet–Afghan War. Russia has flown the Tu-22M on bombing missions in the First Chechen War, Russo-Georgian War, intervention in the Syrian civil war, and Russo-Ukrainian war. On 1 June 2025, Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb drone attack destroyed four Tu-22Ms at Belaya air base. The aircraft has been forward-deployed to the Turkmen SSR, Syria, and Iran. Soviet...

Read on Wikipedia · Image Dmitry Terekhov from Odintsovo, Russian Federation, CC BY-SA 2.0