For the first time, Russia deployed Tupolev Tu-22M bombers to bombard the Ukrainian city of Mariupol.
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.
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.
The production period was between 1967 and 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.
This aircraft can be refueled in the air, with a single flight is estimated to be up to 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.