On July 8, 2024, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced it had thwarted an alleged Ukrainian plot to steal a Tu-22M3 strategic bomber, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. According to multiple Russian news sources, Ukrainian intelligence, purportedly with NATO involvement, attempted to recruit a Russian military pilot to fly the bomber to Ukraine.The FSB claims that Ukrainian special services offered the pilot a substantial monetary reward, reported by one source as $2 million, along with Italian citizenship in exchange for piloting the aircraft to Ukraine’s territory. The operation was allegedly prepared and carried out with the involvement of NATO countries’ special services, though specific details about their role were not provided.In a twist to the narrative, the FSB stated that during what they termed an “operational game,” Russian counter-intelligence agents obtained critical information. This intelligence reportedly enabled Russian armed forces to conduct a strike on the Ukrainian Air Force’s Ozerne airbase, located near the city of Zhytomyr.The veracity of these claims has not been independently verified, and as of the time of reporting, neither Ukrainian authorities nor NATO have responded to these allegations. It’s worth noting that this incident comes amid ongoing reports from Ukraine about the destruction of Russian aircraft since the start of the war, with claims of 360 Russian aircraft and 326 helicopters destroyed.This alleged plot, if confirmed, would represent a significant escalation in the conflict, showcasing the complex and high-stakes nature of military intelligence operations between the two nations. It also underscores the potential for further intensification of the conflict, with both sides seemingly willing to engage in increasingly bold and risky maneuvers.
Key points
- Russia’s FSB claims to have thwarted a Ukrainian attempt to steal a Tu-22M3 strategic bomber.
- The plot allegedly involved offering a Russian pilot money and Italian citizenship to fly the bomber to Ukraine.
- FSB states that intelligence gathered during the operation led to a strike on Ukraine’s Ozerne airbase.
Contradictions👾While most sources consistently report on the Tu-22M3 bomber, one source incorrectly identifies the aircraft as a Su-22-3, which is a different type of aircraft entirely.
