A Russian bomber jet exploded and split in two while attempting to land during a training exercise in Murmansk, north of the Arctic Circle. The accident occurred on January 22, the shocking video of which has emerged now shows the fatal crash of Russian Tupolev TU-22M3 military jet bomber. The footage captured at Olenya air base above the Arctic Circle, shows the bomber jet burning as it hits the ground with thick black smoke coming from the aircraft. The video also shows heavy fog covering the area. The bomber jet bounced on the runway, splitting the aircraft in half, according to reports in express.co.uk. An official accident report leaked two days after the crash said: 'The crew did not respond the commands of flight management team. The fuselage burned down'. The Russian Ministry of Defence stated that the nuclear-capable bomber, as known as a 'Backfire', was not armed when it crashed due to a heavy blizzard and low visibility. As reported by RIA Novosti news agency, aviation expert Vadim Lukashevich said the crash was likely caused by a vertical wind gust that hit the plane before landing. Two of the crew died immediately and two other were taken to hospital, where one later succumbed to injuries. Family members of the deceased crew members paid emotional tributes to captain Major Alexey Guryev, co-pilot Konstantin Mazunin and navigator Viktor Greyf. The Tupolev TU-22M3 is developed by the Tupolev Design Bureau and was operated by the Soviet Air Forces during the Cold War.
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