Still facing intense resistance in the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, the Russian military has repeatedly bombed the city. And for the first time, Russia deployed Tupolev Tu-22M bombers there.
As quoted by us from the Eurasiantimes, the Tu-22M was reported a few days ago to have dropped a bomb on the Ukrainian army area in Mariupol.
The bombing was recorded by a Russian drone and later confirmed by the Ukrainian military. The spokesman for the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, stated that the long-range bombers had struck Mariupol.
The bomb from the plane targeted the Azovstal steel factory, which is also a base for the Ukrainian army. Seen in drone footage, a bomb exploded in the industrial complex, which is one of the largest metallurgical factories in Europe.
Reportedly, many Ukrainian soldiers took refuge in the area. The method Russia is reportedly using is so-called carpet bombing, with the aim of destroying every piece over a large area. Bombs that are dropped can be said to be arbitrary, not guided.
Previously, Tu-22M aircraft had actually been used to attack Ukraine, but were operated in Russian airspace. Now, the plane means it has entered Ukrainian territory and carried out an attack.
The Tupolev Tu-22M is a supersonic strategic bomber made by the Tupolev Design Bureau and first flew in 1969. Its production period was from 1967 to 1993 in various variants.
There were 497 units produced and today, more than 100 units are still in service with the Russian Air Force. Such aircraft can also be used for nuclear attack and reconnaissance.
The bomber can be refueled in the air, with a single flight estimated to cover a distance of 5,000 kilometers. The United States has several times investigated whether this kind of aircraft could be used by Russia to attack its territory, especially during the cold war