Three crew members of the Tu-22M3 long-range missile-carrying bomber were killed on Tuesday as a result of an abnormal operation of the ejection seats, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"Due to insufficient height to deploy parachutes, three crew members received injuries incompatible with life upon landing," the ministry said.

A commission of the Russian Aerospace Forces was sent to the airfield for a technical inspection of the aircraft and clarification of the causes of the accident, the ministry added.