MOSCOW, Feb 24 (NNN-TASS) – An SU-25 fighter jet crashed, while returning to its base airfield, in the Belgorod region yesterday, “after completing a combat mission,” the Russian Defence Ministry said.
The plane crashed in a deserted area, killing the pilot and causing no damage on the ground, the ministry said, adding that, a technical malfunction had led to the incident.
Earlier in the day, Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of the Belgorod region, said on Telegram that, a Defence Ministry aircraft had crashed in the Valuysky district of the Belgorod region, and an investigation team was working at the site.
It was previously reported that the pilot ejected from the aircraft and survived.
The Belgorod region is located in south-west Russia, near Ukraine.– NNN-TASS