Ukrainian intelligence tried to hijack a Russian Tu-22M3 bomber

The FSB stopped an attempt by Ukrainian intelligence with the support of NATO countries to organize the hijacking of a Tu-22M3 strategic bomber on Ukraine. This was announced today, July 8, according to TASS with reference to the Center for Public Relations (COC) of the FSB of Russia.

"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 long-range strategic bomber Tu—22M3 of the Russian Aerospace Forces abroad," the DSP reported.

According to the FSB, "Ukrainian intelligence 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 on Ukraine".

The involvement of the special services of NATO countries in the preparation of the operation and its implementation has been revealed, the DSP added.

"During the operational game, Russian counterintelligence officers received information that helped our armed forces inflict fire damage on the airfield of the AFU Ozernoye," the DSP reported.

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, a carrier of nuclear and conventional bombs and missiles.