Russian pilots flying Tu-22M3 supersonic bombers accidentally hit a grain ship in the Black Sea during a rapid targeting attempt, possibly while evading Ukrainian air defenses, according to British defense officials.
On October 4, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) posted on X, revealing that on September 11, 2024, the cargo ship Aya, carrying over 26,000 tonnes of grain from Odesa to Egypt, was hit by a missile in the Black Sea. Fortunately, the missile failed to detonate, narrowly avoiding catastrophic damage.
The MoD stated that the missile was likely an AS-4 KITCHEN anti-ship missile fired by a Russian Tu-22M3 BACKFIRE bomber. British officials noted that the Aya was likely not the intended target, suggesting the pilots may have mistakenly identified the ship while rapidly aiming, fearing Ukrainian surface-to-air missiles.Russia has reportedly become more cautious in the Black Sea after losing a Tu-22 earlier this year. In April, Ukraine downed a Tu-22M3 for the first time, causing it to crash in Russia’s Stavropol Territory.
The Tu-22M3 is a long-range bomber designed to hit sea and land targets with guided missiles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized Western partners for delaying long-range weapon support, urging NATO to provide sufficient arms to counter Russian missiles and drones.Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh responded to Zelensky’s remarks, stating that the U.S. has a limited supply of long-range missiles and is not overextending its resources.
