Fortunately, both pilots on board managed to eject safely, escaping the wreckage. Preliminary investigations by the ministry have suggested a potential technical malfunction as the likely cause of the crash.
This incident follows a series of recent crashes involving Russian military aircraft. Just last week, a Su-24 jet crashed in the Volgograd region, which shares a border with western Kazakhstan, resulting in the tragic loss of two pilots.
Additionally, in the preceding month, another military plane, a Su-30, crashed in Russia's far western Kaliningrad exclave, claiming the lives of its crew.
Authorities are now conducting thorough investigations into these incidents as concerns grow over the safety and reliability of Russia's military aircraft.
Further details are expected to emerge as the investigations progress. (ILKHA)