Aircraft & UAVs

Tu-22M

Also known as
  • Backfire
  • Backfire-B
  • Backfire-C
  • Tu-22M2
  • Tu-22M3
  • Tu-22M3R
  • Tu-22M3M

The Tupolev Tu-22M Backfire family is a variable-sweep, long-range supersonic bomber and missile carrier built for maritime strike and deep land attack. The Tu-22M3 Backfire-C is the principal operational version: UAC says it entered service in 1989, while Rosoboronexport and later reporting tie the type to Kh-22 and Kh-32 standoff missile carriage as well as large conventional bomb loads.

Tu-22M, Long-range supersonic bomber and missile carrier, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: Tupolev Tu-22M3 '33 red' (38689125224)

Role in Conflicts

1979 Soviet-Afghan War
Side
Soviet Union and Afghan government forces
Role in conflict
Long-range strike

The Backfire saw its first combat during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, especially in the war's final year.

1994 First Chechen War
Side
Russia
Role in conflict
Operational strike missions

Russian Backfire bombers flew roughly 100 operational sorties against rebels in Chechnya during the mid-1990s.

2008 Russo-Georgian War
Side
Russia and South Ossetian forces
Role in conflict
Reconnaissance sortie

A Tu-22M3R reconnaissance bomber was used over South Ossetia and shot down near Gori on August 9, 2008.

2014 Russia-Ukraine War
Long-Range Strike
Side
Russia

Russian forces have used Tu-22M3 long-range bombers during the full-scale invasion, including April 2022 attacks on Mariupol, Kh-22/Kh-32 missile launches against Ukrainian targets, and an April 2024 Tu-22M3 loss reported by Ukraine after a missile strike.

Role details
Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Long-range supersonic bomber and missile carrier
Service note
Tu-22M3 first flew in 1977 and entered Soviet service in 1989; still operated by Russian Aerospace Forces
Designer
Tupolev Design Bureau
Designed
Tu-22M3 test prototype first flew on June 20, 1977
Produced
Serial production began in 1978
Number built
Around 500 Tu-22M aircraft of various versions

Specifications

Crew
4
Engines
Two NK-25 afterburning turbofan engines
Length
42.46 m
Wingspan
34.28 m
Maximum Takeoff Weight
126,400 kg
Payload
24,000 kg
Range
7,000 km
Strike radius
2,200 km from base airfields
Maximum speed
2,300 km/h
Service ceiling
13,300 m
Missile load
Up to three Kh-22E missiles in the Tu-22M3E catalogue configuration; modernized Tu-22M3M reporting identifies Kh-32 carriage
Weapons
Guided missiles and aerial bombs; 23 mm tail gun
Backfire Variant Structure

Tu-22M names a Backfire family rather than one static configuration. The main public split runs from early Tu-22M0/M1 development aircraft through the Tu-22M2 Backfire-B, the Tu-22M3 Backfire-C, reconnaissance-configured Tu-22M3R aircraft, and the later Tu-22M3M modernization branch.

DesignationConfigurationSourced distinction
Tu-22M0Prototype batchUAC places the first Tu-22M0 prototype flight in August 1969.
Tu-22M1Early development branchGlobalSecurity separates Tu-22M1 from later Backfire production branches.
Tu-22M2Backfire-B production branchGlobalSecurity identifies Tu-22M2 as the Backfire-B branch that preceded the Tu-22M3.
Tu-22M3Backfire-C missile carrierUAC says the Tu-22M3 test prototype first flew on June 20, 1977 and entered service in March 1989.
Tu-22M3RReconnaissance configurationThe RAF Georgia study identifies the aircraft lost near Gori in 2008 as a Tu-22M3R reconnaissance bomber.
Tu-22M3MModernized Russian branchThe Diplomat reports the Tu-22M3M upgrade as a Kazan modernization tied to new avionics and Kh-32 carriage.

Source labels: Tu-22M3 UAC; Tu-22M Backfire GlobalSecurity; RAF Georgia 2008; Russia's Upgraded Tu-22M3M Makes Maiden Flight.

Carried Munitions

Public references most clearly tie the Backfire's standoff-strike role to large air-launched missiles carried by Tu-22M3-series aircraft.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
Kh-22, Air-launched supersonic anti-ship cruise missile, MunitionsKh-22Air-launched anti-ship and land-attack cruise missile

Rosoboronexport's Tu-22M3E catalogue entry lists carriage of up to three Kh-22E missiles, and Ukraine-war reporting identifies Tu-22M3 bombers as Kh-22 launch platforms.

Sources: Rosoboronexport Aerospace Systems Catalogue 2003, Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 19, 2024

Kh-32, Supersonic air-launched anti-ship and land-attack cruise missile, ArtilleryKh-32Modernized Kh-22-family cruise missile

Tu-22M3M modernization reporting identifies the Kh-32 as a key missile for upgraded Backfire aircraft, while Ukrainian reporting groups later Tu-22M3 launches as Kh-22/Kh-32 salvos.

Sources: Russia's Upgraded Tu-22M3M Makes Maiden Flight, Ukrainska Pravda Kh-22/Kh-32 Missile Totals

Why the missile link matters

The Tu-22M3 fleet gives Russia a bomber-launched route for very heavy standoff missiles, so Backfire availability, basing, and missile stockpiles shape the tempo of Kh-22/Kh-32 salvos.

Sources: Ukrainska Pravda Kh-22/Kh-32 Missile Totals

Mission And Payload Profile

Tu-22M3 sits between tactical strike aircraft and intercontinental strategic bombers: it can carry a large conventional payload, launch heavy standoff missiles, and operate as a maritime-strike aircraft against major surface targets.

Role areaSourced capabilityOperational effect
Maritime strikeRosoboronexport describes Tu-22M3E carriage of Kh-22E missiles against radar-contrast mobile and stationary targets.The aircraft can attack ships or large fixed targets without relying only on free-fall bombs.
Deep land attackUAC lists a 2,200 km strike radius from base airfields with guided missiles or aerial bombs.Backfire missions can reach beyond the immediate front line when airspace and basing permit.
Massed bombingUAC and Deagel list a 24,000 kg payload for the Tu-22M3.The aircraft can deliver heavy conventional bomb loads, which explains its use in theater-level bombing missions as well as missile strikes.
Modernization branchThe Diplomat ties the Tu-22M3M upgrade to new avionics and Kh-32 missile carriage.The upgraded branch keeps the same aircraft family relevant for Russia's later long-range strike force.

Source labels: Tu-22M3 UAC; Tu-22M3; Rosoboronexport Aerospace Systems Catalogue 2003; Russia's Upgraded Tu-22M3M Makes Maiden Flight.

Timeline

Tu-22M Key Events

  1. Tu-22M3 first flight

    Tupolev says the first Tu-22M3 test prototype completed its maiden flight on June 20, 1977.

    Sources: Tu-22M3 UAC

  2. Tu-22M3 enters service

    The finalized Tu-22M3 entered Soviet service in March 1989.

    Sources: Tu-22M3 UAC

  3. Tu-22M3R lost over Georgia

    The RAF's Russian-Georgian conflict study says a Tu-22M3R reconnaissance bomber was shot down near Gori on August 9, 2008.

    Sources: RAF Georgia 2008

  4. Hamadan strikes in Syria

    The Guardian reported Russian Tu-22M3 warplanes flying from Iran's Hamadan air base to strike targets in Syria.

    Sources: Russia uses Iranian airbase for first time in Syria campaign

  5. Tu-22M3M first flight reported

    The first upgraded Tu-22M3M made its maiden flight at Kazan, with reporting tying the modernization to the Kh-32 missile and new avionics.

    Sources: Russia's Upgraded Tu-22M3M Makes Maiden Flight

  6. Tu-22M3 loss reported after Ukraine strike

    ISW reported Russian Tu-22M3 bombers being used as Kh-22 launch platforms against Ukrainian targets, and The Kyiv Independent relayed Ukrainian Air Force reporting that Ukraine downed a Tu-22M3 for the first time after a Russian missile attack.

    Sources: Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 19, 2024, Air Force: Ukraine downs Russian Tu-22M3 bomber for first time

Media

Tu-22M Images

Tu-22M, Long-range supersonic bomber and missile carrier, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: Tu-22M3 Monino.jpg
Tu-22M, Long-range supersonic bomber and missile carrier, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2
Source: Tu-22M3 Kyiv 01.jpg
Related Weapon Systems
Kh-22, Air-launched supersonic anti-ship cruise missile, MunitionsMunitionsKh-22Air-launched supersonic anti-ship cruise missileThe Kh-22, NATO reporting name AS-4 Kitchen, is a large Soviet air-launched cruise missile designed by Raduga for attacks on carrier groups, radar-contrast surface targets, and major fixed targets. Its liquid-propellant rocket motor, supersonic flight profile, and roughly one-ton conventional or nuclear warhead made it a heavy standoff weapon for Tu-22, Tu-22M, and modified Tu-95K-22 bomber variants. Russia has repurposed Kh-22-family missiles for land attack in the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War, where the missile's naval-targeting heritage, large warhead, and high terminal speed have produced severe urban-strike risks and a difficult air-defense problem.
Kh-32, Supersonic air-launched anti-ship and land-attack cruise missile, ArtilleryArtilleryKh-32Supersonic air-launched anti-ship and land-attack cruise missileThe Kh-32 is a Russian supersonic air-launched cruise missile derived from the Kh-22 family for long-range attacks on ships and fixed ground targets. Built by the Raduga design bureau within Russia's Tactical Missiles Corporation network, it is carried by Tu-22M3-series bombers and combines a high-altitude flight profile, inertial navigation, and terminal radar homing. Russia has used the Kh-22/Kh-32 family against Ukraine, where its speed, steep terminal profile, and anti-ship design heritage make interception difficult and raise accuracy risks when fired at urban land targets.
Tu-95, Strategic turboprop bomber and cruise-missile carrier, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsTu-95Strategic turboprop bomber and cruise-missile carrierThe Tupolev Tu-95 is a Soviet-designed four-engine turboprop strategic bomber family whose Tu-95MS and Tu-95MSM missile-carrier variants remain part of Russia's long-range aviation force. UAC traces the Bear's role from early nuclear missile carriage to the Tu-95MS cruise-missile carrier, while FAS and conflict reporting document its continuing use for standoff Kh-55/Kh-555 and Kh-101/Kh-102 strike missions in Syria and Ukraine.
Su-22 fighter-bomber, Variable-sweep-wing fighter-bomber / ground-attack aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsSu-22 fighter-bomberVariable-sweep-wing fighter-bomber / ground-attack aircraftThe Su-22 is the export member of Sukhoi's Su-17 Fitter family, a Soviet variable-sweep fighter-bomber built for low-level strike, ground attack, and battlefield interdiction. Direct conflict records on this page emphasize documented combat use and losses: Libyan Su-22s over the Gulf of Sidra, an Azerbaijani Su-22 loss in the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, Iraqi Su-22/Fitter chemical-attack delivery in the Iran-Iraq War, Desert Storm losses, Peruvian Cenepa War air-support missions, and Syrian government bombing near Tabqah in 2017.

Sources

Tu-22M3 UACPublisher: United Aircraft Corporation | Note: Official Tu-22M3 page covering the aircraft's mission, Tu-22M0 and Tu-22M3 development milestones, service entry, engine fit, strike radius, payload, and production background. | Accessed: 2026-06-30Russia’s Tupolev Tu-22M Bomber Oozes with DangerPublisher: The National Interest | Note: Supports Tu-22M Backfire background and Tu-22M3 specs, while directly documenting 1979 Soviet-Afghan War use by reporting the type's first combat in Afghanistan and 1994 First Chechen War use by reporting Backfire sorties against rebels in Chechnya. | Accessed: 2026-06-26RAF Georgia 2008Publisher: Royal Air Force | Note: Supports 2008 Russo-Georgian War direct use, reporting a Tu-22M3R reconnaissance bomber shot down over South Ossetia near Gori on August 9, 2008. | Accessed: 2026-06-26Tu-22M3Publisher: Deagel | Note: Supports Tu-22M3 role, Tupolev contractor attribution, service date, and core specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Tu-22M Backfire GlobalSecurityPublisher: GlobalSecurity.org | Note: Supports Backfire family background and the Tu-22M1, Tu-22M2, and Tu-22M3 variant split. | Accessed: 2026-06-30Rosoboronexport Aerospace Systems Catalogue 2003Publisher: Rosoboronexport | Note: Mirrored Rosoboronexport aerospace catalogue supporting Tu-22M3E mission profile, basic specifications, and carriage of up to three Kh-22E missiles. | Accessed: 2026-06-30Russia 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: 2026-06-20Russia's Upgraded Tu-22M3M Makes Maiden FlightPublisher: The Diplomat | Note: Supports Tu-22M3M modernization timeline, Kazan first-flight context, avionics upgrade background, and Kh-32 carriage by the upgraded Backfire branch. | Accessed: 2026-06-30United 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: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War direct use by Russian forces, 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: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War direct use by Russian forces of the Tu-22M3 as a Kh-22 launch platform against Ukraine. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Air Force: Ukraine downs Russian Tu-22M3 bomber for first timePublisher: The Kyiv Independent | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War direct use and attrition context by relaying Ukrainian Air Force reporting that Ukraine downed a Russian Tu-22M3 bomber after a missile attack on April 19, 2024. | Accessed: 2026-06-30Ukrainska Pravda Kh-22/Kh-32 Missile TotalsPublisher: Ukrainska Pravda | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War direct use by reporting Ukrainian commander-in-chief figures for Kh-22 and Kh-32 missiles launched from Tu-22M3 bombers. | Accessed: 2026-06-30Russia uses Iranian airbase for first time in Syria campaignPublisher: The Guardian | Note: Supports 2011 Syrian Civil War direct use by Russian forces, reporting Tu-22M3 warplanes flying from Hamadan to strike targets in Syria. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Russia-Based Bombers Hit Islamic State Sites In Syria, Military SaysPublisher: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty | Note: Supports 2011 Syrian Civil War direct use by Russian forces, reporting Tu-22M3 bombers used to hit Islamic State targets near Albu Kamal in Deir ez-Zor Province. | 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: 2026-06-20Tu-22M3 Monino.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Commons file page for a Tu-22M3 image used in the gallery; the file is available under open licensing terms shown on the file page. | Accessed: 2026-06-26Tu-22M3 Kyiv 01.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Commons file page for a Tu-22M3 image used in the gallery; the file is available under open licensing terms shown on the file page. | Accessed: 2026-06-26