Russian Air Force reportedly shot down its own fighter jet while defending Crimea

The Ukrainian Navy announced on Friday that Russian air defense units over occupied Crimea had accidentally shot down one of their own Su-30SM fighter jets. The incident occurred during the night, reports The Moscow Times.

According to intercepted radio communications, both of the aircraft's engines caught fire, and the crew ejected before it crashed in the northwest of the peninsula. Ukrainian Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk told Ukrainian media that Russian forces had acted so intensively in their defense that they had hit their own target.

Official sources in Russia have not yet commented on the incident. However, Telegram channels associated with pro-Russian groups confirmed the loss of the aircraft.

Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that air defenses had shot down 61 Ukrainian drones during the night, including 38 over Crimea and the Black Sea. Crimean Governor Sergey Aksyonov confirmed damage to several transformer stations and temporary power outages, but did not mention the shooting down of the aircraft.

(sie)