Moscow, 09 July 2024- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) announced on Monday that they had thwarted an alleged attempt to hijack a nuclear-capable Tu-22M strategic bomber and fly it to Ukraine. According to the FSB, Ukrainian intelligence operatives purportedly orchestrated the plan, aiming to convince a Russian military pilot to defect with the aircraft.

In a statement published on its website, the FSB, the successor to the Soviet-era KGB, claimed Ukrainian agents approached a Russian pilot with an offer of financial reward and Italian citizenship in exchange for flying the TU-22M3 bomber to Ukraine. The Russian intelligence agency further alleged that NATO member countries' intelligence services were involved in the failed abduction attempt, although specific nations were not named.

As part of their counter-operation, the FSB reported gathering intelligence that facilitated a successful strike on Ukraine's Ozarnya airfield, located near Zhytomyr in northwestern Ukraine. The agency released a video purportedly featuring the pilot involved in the operation, whose identity was concealed and voice altered to protect their anonymity, as reported by RT.

According to the FSB's account, the plot was initiated when a person identifying themselves as "Pavlo" contacted the Russian pilot via the social media platform Telegram, claiming affiliation with Ukrainian intelligence.

The Ukrainian government has not yet responded to these allegations. The purported incident, if confirmed, could escalate tensions between Russia and Ukraine, already strained due to ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine and geopolitical disputes.