Ukraine strikes back: Tu-22M3 bomber destroyed moments after landing
In a significant escalation of its long-range strike capabilities, Ukraine has reportedly destroyed a Russian Tu-22M3 supersonic bomber in a drone attack that also caused collateral damage to key missile preparation infrastructure. The strike, carried out at night on March 31, underscores Kyiv’s growing ability to strike deep inside Russian territory — and threatens to disrupt Moscow’s strategic bombing operations.
The confirmation came from Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in an interview with LB.ua. “Just a few days ago, we destroyed a Tu-22M3 long-range bomber with one of our drones. It had just landed — and our drone struck it. Its value is around $100 million,” Syrskyi said, highlighting both the symbolic and material significance of the operation.
A Tactical and Psychological Blow
The Tu-22M3, manufactured by the Soviet-era Tupolev Design Bureau, has been a staple of Russia’s long-range airstrike fleet. Capable of launching Kh-22 and Kh-32 cruise missiles at high speeds and with devastating accuracy, the bomber has been repeatedly used in attacks against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Its destruction marks a rare instance of a Russian strategic asset being directly hit on the ground — and inside its own territory.
Satellite imagery reviewed by defense analysts shows evidence of structural damage at the airbase, particularly a building believed to be used for fueling and configuring missile systems. The damage indicates that the strike may have impacted not only the aircraft but also the surrounding infrastructure required to prepare these missiles for deployment.
Ukrainian defense outlet Militarnyi reported that one of the parking areas at the airfield displayed wreckage that could not be clearly identified but was consistent with the size and profile of a downed bomber. The visible debris, scorched pavement, and collapsed structures all pointed to a high-precision strike with destructive consequences.
Strategic Implications
This attack is part of a broader trend: Ukraine’s increasing use of long-range drones to strike airfields, fuel depots, radar stations, and even defense industry targets inside Russia. Although Kyiv has not revealed the specific drone model used in this operation, it comes amid a period of rapid innovation in Ukraine’s unmanned aerial systems. Both domestically produced drones and modified commercial systems have been employed to extend Ukraine’s reach — in some cases, up to a thousand kilometers behind enemy lines.
The successful destruction of the Tu-22M3 signals a growing vulnerability for Russian air power. With airbases and high-value platforms now demonstrably at risk, Moscow may be forced to reassess its basing and dispersal strategies — or invest more heavily in air defense coverage even far from the front lines.
For Ukraine, the strike delivers a valuable propaganda victory as well. It demonstrates to both domestic and international audiences that the country is not only defending its territory but also actively taking the fight to strategic targets in Russia. With Western support in flux and calls for increased military aid continuing, such high-profile successes serve to strengthen Ukraine’s case for receiving more advanced weaponry and technology.
The Evolving Drone War
The use of drones has redefined modern warfare — and Ukraine’s war with Russia has become a proving ground for this evolving technology. From kamikaze-style loitering munitions to long-range reconnaissance and strike drones, unmanned systems have allowed Ukraine to level the playing field against a larger, more heavily armed adversary.
Russia, too, has adapted, deploying its own fleet of drones and using Iranian-designed Shahed systems to attack Ukrainian infrastructure. But this latest strike shows that Ukraine is catching up fast — and is now capable of turning Russia’s own doctrine of deep strikes against it.
As the war grinds on into its third year, events like the destruction of the Tu-22M3 bomber reveal how innovation, precision, and asymmetric tactics are reshaping the battlefield. For Ukraine, it’s not just a win in the skies — it’s a message: no target is untouchable.
