FSB stopped attempt to hijack Tu-22M3 strategic bomber to Ukraine

The FSB of the Russian Federation has stopped an attempt by Ukrainian intelligence to organise the hijacking of a Tu-22M3 strategic bomber to Ukraine with the support of NATO countries, TASS reports with reference to the PR Centre of Russia’s Federal Security Service

Photo: FSB video screenshot

"The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation has stopped another attempt by the Ukrainian special services to carry out an operation to hijack a Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bomber of the Russian Aerospace Forces abroad," the PR Centre reported.

According to the FSB, the Ukrainian intelligence service intended to recruit a Russian military pilot for a monetary reward and the granting of Italian citizenship, to persuade him to fly and land a missile carrier in Ukraine. The involvement of the special services of NATO countries in the preparation of the operation and its implementation has been revealed.

"During the operational game, Russian counterintelligence agents received information that helped our Armed Forces inflict fire damage on the Ozernoye airfield of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” the source informed.

The Tu-22M3 is a long-range supersonic missile carrier bomber with a variable sweep wing, designed to destroy sea and land targets with guided missiles and aerial bombs, it is a carrier of nuclear and conventional bombs and missiles.