Ahmad 
Russian Federal Security announced that it had thwarted an attempt by Ukraine and its NATO allies to steal a Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
The Russian Federal Security confirmed in its statement that Ukrainian intelligence tried to recruit the captain of the Russian bomber, lure him with two million dollars, grant him foreign citizenship, and secure his residency outside Russia in exchange for him flying the plane to an airport in Ukraine.
The statement explained that Russian intelligence revealed the direct involvement of NATO countries’ intelligence in planning the operation.
The bomber captain reported that Kiev intelligence contacted him via Telegram and used methods of persuasion and intimidation against him, demanding that he provide it with technical information about Russian strategic bombers of this type and their flight schedules.
The captain indicated that his interlocutor also asked him to burn the planes at the airport or cause any damage to them, and he stated that he was able to deceive his interlocutors and obtain from them information that informed Russia of the destruction of the Ukrainian “Ozyornoye” military airport, where the stolen Russian plane was apparently expected to land.
The Russian pilot revealed that he quickly informed his command of these conversations, before the Russian Federal Security took over the investigation.
It is noteworthy that the Tu-22 is capable of flying at a speed of 2,300 km/h, at an altitude of 13,000 meters, for a distance of 6,000 km and returning without refueling.
It carries conventional ammunition and guided missiles to destroy land and sea targets and underwent a number of technical modifications that made it capable of carrying 6 missiles in addition to its basic stock of ammunition.
Niger strengthens military cooperation with Russia and moves toward purchasing Russian weapons