Russian Tu-22M3s armed with Kh-22 missiles in Baltic

Two Russian Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bombers from Soltsy Air Base conducted a training flight over the Baltic Sea on April 20, 2026. Newly released footage from the Russian Ministry of Defense confirms each bomber was equipped with one Kh-22 cruise missile in its weapons bay. These aircraft, which can carry a maximum of three such missiles, are stationed at Soltsy-2 Airbase in Novgorod Oblast and are armed with the older, less accurate Kh-22 variant. The deployment of these armed bombers in the Baltic region raises the possibility they could be used in a future large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine.