Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber crashes in Volgograd

The crash occurred in the Serafimovichsky district, where the aircraft went down in a field near a forest.

Eyewitnesses captured photos and videos of the burning wreckage, which were shared on Russian social media and Telegram channels.

According to the Ministry of Defense, the Su-34 was on a scheduled training flight when it crashed. The preliminary cause has been identified as a technical malfunction.

The two-person crew successfully ejected from the aircraft and are reported to be unharmed.

Su-34 fighter-bombers are heavily utilized by Russian forces in the ongoing conflict against Ukraine, often deploying a range of missile and bomb weaponry, including UMPK guided bombs and cruise missiles. Due to their active involvement, Su-34s have incurred significant losses.

In a related incident, a Su-34 crashed in North Ossetia in June, resulting in the death of the crew. The crash was initially attributed to a routine training flight, although some reports suggested the aircraft was en route to another airfield and collided with a rock. (ILKHA)