Russia foils Ukraine bid to hijack Tu-22M3 strategic bomber, security service says

A Tupolev Tu-22M3 Backfire strategic bomber takes off during joint exercises of Russia and Belarus on Feb. 9, 2022. (AFP file photo)
Short Url
Updated 08 July 2024
Follow

Russia foils Ukraine bid to hijack Tu-22M3 strategic bomber, security service says

  • ‘Ukrainian intelligence intended to recruit a Russian military pilot for a monetary reward and the provision of Italian citizenship’

Officers of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) blocked an attempt by Ukraine to organize the hijack of a Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber, the service said on Monday.

“Ukrainian intelligence intended to recruit a Russian military pilot for a monetary reward and the provision of Italian citizenship, to persuade him to fly and land a missile carrier in Ukraine,” the FSB said on its website.

Reuters could not independently verify the details. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine.

During the operation, Russia received information that helped Russian forces to strike the Ozerne airfield in northwestern Ukraine, the FSB added in its statement.

The timings of the operation and the alleged strikes on the Ozerne airfield in Ukraine’s Zhytomyr were both unclear.


UK’s Starmer speaks with US President Trump on Middle East

Updated 2 sec ago
Follow

UK’s Starmer speaks with US President Trump on Middle East

LONDON: ‌Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with US President Donald Trump on ​Sunday, less than a day after Trump mounted his latest criticism of the British leader over a perceived lack of support for the US campaign against Iran.
“The leaders ‌began by ‌discussing the ​latest ‌situation ⁠in ​the Middle East ⁠and the military cooperation between the UK and US through the use of RAF (Royal Air Force) bases in support of the collective self-defense of ⁠partners in the region,” ‌a spokeswoman ‌from Starmer’s office said ​in a ‌statement.
The statement did not ‌reference Trump’s most recent remarks, made in a post on Truth Social, in which he responded ‌to news Britain may send an aircraft carrier to the ⁠region ⁠by saying “We don’t need people that join Wars after we’ve already won!“
The spokeswoman from Starmer’s office added: “The Prime Minister also shared his heartfelt condolences with President Trump and the American people following the deaths of six ​US soldiers.”
“They looked ​forward to speaking again soon.”