The Tu-22M3 plane went down late Thursday in a deserted area over the Irkutsk region, Igor Kobzev said.

Rescue efforts "lasted all night... unfortunately one of the pilots couldn't be saved", Kobzev wrote on Telegram, citing the defence ministry.

The three wounded pilots were hospitalised, he said, adding that according to preliminary information the crash was caused by a "technical failure".

The Tu-22M3 is a long-range strategic bomber made by the Tupolev military manufacturer.