Russian Su-27 jet crashed in Russian Nizhny Novgorod region
Illustrative photo: Su-27 fighter jet crashes in Russia (wikimedia.org)
A Su-27 multirole fighter jet crashed in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod region. The crew managed to eject, reports 112, a major Russian Telegram channel covering incidents.
According to Russian media, the fighter jet fell in a forest near the village of Veletma, close to the city of Kulebaki. There were no casualties or damage on the ground. The pilots left the aircraft.
A source from 112 said the plane was completely destroyed. Fire crews are working at the crash site. Police sources reported that one pilot has already been located, while the second is still being sought.
Losses of the Su-27 for the Russian army
This is not the first time Russia has lost a Su-27 fighter since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. British intelligence reported that Russia may have shot down its own Su-27 over Crimea in late March. This incident highlights a lack of coordination among Russian forces.
There have been previous reports of similar "friendly fire" cases, especially in occupied Ukrainian territories. Intelligence believes this confirms the impact of Ukraine's actions.
Details about the Su-27
The Su-27 is a heavy, fourth-generation, all-weather multirole fighter designed to gain air superiority. It began service in the air forces in 1985 but was officially adopted in 1990. After the Soviet Union collapsed, it was produced in Russia.
As of January 2014, there were 359 Su-27 jets in operation, including 225 Su-27s, 70 Su-27SMs, 12 Su-27SM3s, and 52 Su-27UBs. According to World Air Forces data for 2024, fewer than 403 Su-27s remain in service.
