Russian pilot offered $3 million by Ukrainian intelligence For hijacking strategic bomber / UPDATED

A Russian pilot was promised $3 million by Ukrainian intelligence to hijack a Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bomber, says a statement by the Federal Security Service (FSB).

The FSB released photos of the correspondence between the pilot and a representative of the Ukrainian security services, showing that $1 million of the promised amount was to be provided by Ukroboronprom, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

The FSB also released a video displaying bundles of US dollars and details of the communication, which took place via the messaging app Telegram.

In the FSB video, the pilot recounted the interaction: "No morals, no ethics. Asked to set fire to aviation equipment. Immediately started with threats against my relatives."

The Ukrainian representative, identified as Pavlo, requested detailed information about the aircraft, including flight numbers, technical condition, and regulation schedules.

The pilot, who reported the incident to his command, explained that Pavlo openly identified himself as part of the Ukrainian special services and proposed the hijacking of not just any airplane, but a long-range bomber-rocket carrier capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

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The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has successfully thwarted an attempt by Ukrainian intelligence, with the backing of NATO countries, to hijack a Tu-22M3 strategic bomber and bring it to Ukraine.

"The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation has foiled another attempt by Ukrainian special services to conduct an operation to hijack abroad a long-range strategic bomber Tu-22M3 of the Russian Air Force," says a statement by the Public Relations Center of the FSB, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

According to the FSB, Ukrainian intelligence had planned to recruit a Russian military pilot with promises of a cash reward and Italian citizenship, aiming to convince him to fly and land the missile carrier in Ukraine.

Further investigation revealed the involvement of NATO special services in both the planning and execution of the operation. The PRC noted that during the counterintelligence operation, valuable information was obtained, enabling Russian armed forces to target and inflict damage on the Ukrainian forces’ airfield at Ozernoye.