Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced that it successfully thwarted an attempt by Ukrainian intelligence to hijack a missile-carrying strategic bomber, the Tu-22M3. According to the FSB, Ukrainian special services had promised the Russian pilot a substantial monetary reward and Italian citizenship in exchange for flying the bomber to Ukraine. However, the pilot reported the plan to his commanders, leading to the operation’s failure.
The FSB’s statement, translated by The Moscow Times, detailed that the Ukrainian intelligence had approached the unnamed Russian military pilot with the offer. The pilot, instead of complying, informed his superiors, which led to the exposure of the plot. Russian state-owned news agency RIA Novosti released a video showing the purported pilot and an alleged chat between him and a member of the Ukrainian special services. The video claimed to show threats made against the pilot and his family.
The FSB also alleged that NATO special forces were involved in the attempted hijacking, although no evidence was provided to support this claim. The agency further stated that the intelligence gathered from the pilot enabled Russia to strike an airbase in northwestern Ukraine. The statement did not specify the timing of the alleged attack.
The Tu-22M3 supersonic bombers have been a significant asset for Russia during the ongoing conflict, notably used to strike targets in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol in April 2022. Consequently, these bombers have been a frequent target for Ukrainian forces, sometimes even in airfields deep within Russian territory. Last August, images surfaced showing the remains of a Russian Tu-22M3 bomber at a base approximately 400 miles from the Russia-Ukraine border. The UK Ministry of Defence suggested that the attack was likely carried out from within Russia, as drones launched from Ukraine could not reach that far.
In a separate incident in April, Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate claimed to have shot down one of Russia’s Tu-22M3 bombers. If confirmed, this would mark the first such downing since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
The FSB’s statement, as reported by TASS news agency, also implicated NATO special services in the planning and execution of the hijacking attempt. The Ukrainian intelligence had allegedly planned to recruit the Russian pilot by offering him money and the promise of Italian citizenship, persuading him to fly and land the missile carrier in Ukraine. During the operation, Russian counterintelligence reportedly obtained information that facilitated a strike on a Ukrainian airbase.
The Tu-22M3, known by its NATO code name “Backfire,” is a long-range supersonic missile carrier bomber designed by Tupolev. It is capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional bombs and missiles, making it a formidable weapon in Russia’s arsenal. The bomber has been frequently used by Russian forces to attack Ukrainian targets, bearing Kh-22 cruise missiles that can carry nuclear warheads.
The FSB’s press service, as reported by Russia’s state-run news agency Interfax, reiterated that the Ukrainian special services had intended to recruit the Russian pilot with promises of monetary reward and Italian citizenship. The FSB also claimed that the operation provided them with intelligence that helped Russia’s military strike Ukraine’s northwestern Ozerne airfield.
Newsweek, which could not independently verify the FSB’s claims, reached out to Ukrainian authorities and NATO for comment. The FSB released a video purportedly showing the Russian pilot, whose face was obscured by a helmet. The pilot recounted how an unknown person contacted him on the Telegram messaging service, making threats against his close relatives and demanding that he set the aircraft on fire. The pilot said he immediately reported the incident to his command.
Ukraine has frequently targeted Russian military bases with drones, considering them legitimate military targets in the ongoing war. Last August, Russia accused Ukraine of carrying out a drone attack on a military airfield in the Novgorod region, where Tu-22M3 bombers were believed to be stationed. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that a fire broke out in the aircraft parking lot, which was quickly extinguished, resulting in damage to one plane but no injuries.
Photos later emerged online, appearing to show at least one Russian Tu-22M3 supersonic bomber aircraft in flames. The incident highlighted the ongoing vulnerability of Russian military assets to Ukrainian attacks, even deep within Russian territory.
The thwarted hijacking attempt underscores the high stakes and complex maneuvers involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Both sides continue to engage in a war of intelligence and counterintelligence, with each operation potentially altering the course of the conflict. The involvement of NATO special services, as alleged by the FSB, adds another layer of complexity to the geopolitical dynamics at play.
As the conflict continues, the international community remains watchful, with each new development scrutinized for its potential impact on the broader geopolitical landscape. The thwarted hijacking attempt is just one of many episodes in a conflict that shows no signs of abating.
Source: The Moscow Times, RIA Novosti, TASS, Interfax, Newsweek
