Profile
- Type
- Long-range supersonic bomber and missile carrier
- Conflict side
- Russia
- Origin
- Soviet Union
- Service note
- Introduced in Soviet service; still operated by Russian Aerospace Forces
Aircraft & UAVs
Tu-22M
The Tu-22M, best known in current Russian service as the Tu-22M3 Backfire-C, is a variable-sweep long-range bomber and missile carrier designed by Tupolev for strategic strike and maritime attack missions. In the Russia-Ukraine War, Russian forces have used the type as a standoff launch platform for Kh-22-series missiles and for reported bombing attacks against Mariupol.
- Conflict side
- Russia
- Built in
- Soviet UnionRussia
Service History
- In service
- Tu-22M3 entered service in 1983 according to Deagel
- Used by
- Russian Aerospace Forces
- Wars
- Russia-Ukraine War
Production History
- Designer
- Tupolev Design Bureau
- Designed
- 1960s Tu-22M development; Tu-22M3 first flew in 1977
- Built in
- Soviet UnionRussia
- Produced
- Cold War production, with later overhaul and modernization programs
- Variants
- Tu-22M3, Tu-22M3M
Specifications
- Crew
- 4
- Engines
- Two Kuznetsov NK-25 turbofan engines
- Length
- 42.5 m
- Wingspan
- 34 m
- Maximum Takeoff Weight
- 126 t
- Payload
- Up to 24,000 kg
- Maximum Range
- 6,800 km
- Maximum Speed
- About 2,000 km/h at high altitude
- Weapons
- Kh-22 and Kh-32 cruise missiles, free-fall bombs, and 23 mm tail gun listed for Tu-22M3
Conflict Usage
- Russia-Ukraine War
- Side: Russia
Russian forces have used Tu-22M3 long-range bombers during the full-scale invasion, including reported Mariupol strikes in April 2022 and later Kh-22 missile attacks against Ukrainian targets.
Related Weapon Systems
Su-24Supersonic all-weather tactical bomber and strike aircraftThe Su-24, NATO reporting name Fencer, is a Soviet-designed twin-engine tactical bomber built for low-level all-weather strike missions. In Ukrainian service during the Russia-Ukraine War, surviving Su-24M and Su-24MR aircraft became especially important after integration of Storm Shadow and SCALP-EG cruise missiles, allowing long-range attacks without relying on newer Western combat aircraft._in_flight.jpg?width=480)
Tu-95Strategic turboprop bomber and cruise-missile carrierThe Tu-95 Bear is a Soviet-designed, four-engine turboprop strategic bomber that remains in Russian long-range aviation as a cruise-missile carrier. In the Russia-Ukraine War, the Tu-95MS variant is documented as one of the launch platforms for Kh-101 land-attack cruise missiles fired from standoff range against targets in Ukraine.
9K720 IskanderRoad-mobile tactical ballistic and cruise missile systemThe 9K720 Iskander is a Russian road-mobile tactical missile system that launches short-range ballistic missiles and, in Iskander-K configuration, ground-launched cruise missiles. In the Russia-Ukraine War it has served as one of Russia's principal precision-strike systems for attacks beyond the immediate front line.
B-2 SpiritLow-observable strategic heavy bomberThe B-2 Spirit is a U.S. Air Force low-observable strategic heavy bomber built by Northrop Grumman for long-range conventional and nuclear strike. Its flying-wing design, intercontinental range, and ability to carry heavy precision weapons make it a specialized option for defended or deeply buried targets, with directly documented recent combat use against ISIS camps in Libya, Houthi weapons sites in Yemen, and Iranian military and nuclear targets.
HarpoonCoastal and anti-ship cruise missile systemHarpoon is a U.S.-origin all-weather anti-ship cruise missile family built around active radar terminal homing and sea-skimming flight. In the Russia-Ukraine War, Ukraine received land-based Harpoon coastal defense systems and adapted truck-launched RGM-84 missiles to threaten Russian surface ships operating near the Black Sea coast.
KalibrSea-launched land-attack cruise missile familyKalibr is a Russian family of ship- and submarine-launched cruise missiles, including the 3M-14 land-attack variant known to NATO as SS-N-30A. Its long range, naval basing, and conventional or reported nuclear payload options make it a central Russian Navy strike weapon, and Russian forces have repeatedly used Kalibr missiles in the Russia-Ukraine War for deep strikes against Ukrainian targets.Sources
Tu-22M3Publisher: Deagel | Note: Supports Tu-22M3 role, Tupolev contractor attribution, service date, and core specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Russia Rolls Out First Upgraded Tu-22M3M Long-Range BomberPublisher: The Diplomat | Note: Supports Tupolev and UAC/Kazan modernization context, Tu-22M3M background, and missile-carrier role. | Accessed: 2026-06-20United Aircraft CorporationPublisher: United Aircraft Corporation | Note: Official corporate source noting UAC companies produce aircraft under the Tu brand and manage aircraft life-cycle work. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Russian Tu-22M3 bombers strike MariupolPublisher: Ukrinform | Note: Directly supports Russia-Ukraine War use, citing a Ukrainian Defense Ministry briefing that Russian troops attacked Mariupol with Tu-22M3 bombers. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 19, 2024Publisher: Institute for the Study of War | Note: Directly supports Russia-Ukraine War use of the Tu-22M3 as a Kh-22 launch platform against Ukraine. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Tupolev Tu-22M3 '33 red' (38689125224)Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and license page; the file is listed as CC BY-SA 2.0 and was reviewed from Flickr. | Accessed: 2026-06-20