[Regnum] The Federal Security Service of Russia has thwarted an attempt by Ukrainian special services to hijack a Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber to Kiev-controlled territory. This was reported on July 8 by the Public Relations Center (PRC) of the FSB of Russia.
"The Russian FSB has thwarted yet another attempt by Ukrainian special services to hijack a long-range strategic bomber of the Russian Aerospace Forces Tu-22M3 abroad," the Center for Public Relations reported.
It is specified that during the attempt to organize the hijacking of a military aircraft, Ukrainian intelligence was going to recruit a Russian pilot for a monetary reward and the provision of Italian citizenship, persuading him to fly and land the bomber in Ukraine.
“During the operational game, Russian counterintelligence agents received information that helped our armed forces inflict fire damage on the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Ozernoye airfield,” the FSB added.
The long-range supersonic missile carrier-bomber Tu-22M3 is equipped with a variable-sweep wing. The aircraft is designed to destroy sea and land targets with guided missiles and aerial bombs; in addition to conventional bombs and missiles, it can also carry nuclear weapons.
As reported by the Regnum news agency, in July 2022, Ukrainian intelligence also carried out an operation to bribe a Russian pilot and hijack a Russian Aerospace Forces plane to Ukraine, which was thwarted by the FSB. According to Russian intelligence, the navigator was planned to be poisoned with clonidine, for which the drug was then delivered to Volgograd.
An FSB operative said on July 25 that Ukrainian military intelligence intended to take hostage the family of a Russian military pilot who was being tempted to hijack a VKS plane. He emphasized that the Kiev regime has no moral or ethical limitations, and blackmail, threats, and pressure on relatives have become an integral part of their activities.