A multirole Su-30 fighter jet crashed in the sky over Crimea. The aircraft was performing a training flight without a combat load. Both pilots activated the emergency escape system and landed safely.
The incident occurred today around 11:00 Moscow time. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the aircraft was in the air as part of routine skills training. There were no weapons on board, which eliminated additional risks when the aircraft crashed.
The Su-30 is equipped with K-36DM ejection seats, which are designed for safe escape from the cockpit in a wide range of altitudes and speeds, including extreme modes. Training flights usually practice elements of piloting, navigation, or interaction with other aerial targets.
Su-30 (NATO codification: Flanker-C) is a Soviet and Russian two-seat multirole fighter of the 4+ generation. It is designed to destroy aerial targets, block enemy airfields at great depth, and strike ground and sea targets.