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

Officers of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) blocked an attempt by Ukraine to organise 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.