In an interview with the BBC, the Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, revealed some details of the destruction of the Russian Tu22M3 long-range strategic bomber. This was reported by the press service of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, UNN reports.
Details
The only thing I can say is that the plane was hit at a distance of 308 kilometers, which is far enough. The fruitful and long work is paying off. This is the same technique and the same means that we used when we destroyed the A-50 in the air
According to him, the missile carrier, which was attacking civilian Ukrainian cities, was ambushed.
For a week we were, let's say, ambushed. We were waiting for him to reach the right milestone
The Ukrainian intelligence chief reminded that this is the first downing of a long-range aircraft in the Russian-Ukrainian war, noting, however, that the aggressor state still has such bombers.
After a successful operation by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine in cooperation with the Air Force, Kyrylo Budanov expressed hope that Odesa, which suffered significant damage to civilian infrastructure from X-22 missiles fired from Tu22M3, will now feel a little better, as terrorist Moscow will be forced to use other means.
I hope it will be a little easier for Odesa now. I hope they won't see X-22s again
AddendumAddendum
As a result of the operation, the DIU, in cooperation with the Air Force, destroyed a Tu-22MZ bomber that was firing missiles at Ukraine on the night of April 19. The enemy aircraft was shot down at a distance of about 300 kilometers from Ukraine using the same means that had previously destroyed the Russian A-50.
AFU Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk statedthat for the first time, anti-aircraft missile units of the AFU in cooperation with intelligence destroyed a Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber with two X-22 cruise missiles.
Russia confirmed the death of one of the pilots of the downed Tu-22M3 bomber.
Budanov comments on how Ukraine shoots down Russian strategic aircraft19.04.24, 17:16